Sotheby's To Host International Collector Car Auction At Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

RM Sotheby’s, Formula One signed a partnership that will bring the collector car and memorabilia market to F1’s motorsport fans.

RM Sotheby’s, an auction house for investment-quality automobiles, and Formula 1 will host the sale of significant cars and memorabilia at this year’s Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

The partnership - announced at the F1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019 - will see the Middle East’s first ever major international collector car auction held in Abu Dhabi.

The auction, which will take place on the evening of Saturday, November 30 at the Yas Marina Circuit, will focus on bringing together an expertly curated selection of significant Grand Prix racing machines and road-going sports cars with an historical connection to the world of motorsport, alongside a broader collection of hand-picked, blue-chip classic and supercars.

Ferrari F1 driver Sebastien Vettel signs a Ferrari sports car during the Bahrain Grand Prix. 

The event is the first announced by F1 and RM Sotheby’s in a multi-year agreement that will see both live GP-based sales and online auctions, providing F1 fans and collector car enthusiasts around the world the chance to acquire their own piece of motorsport and automotive history.

“While not all of us can drive away with a priceless piece of automotive art, our collaboration gives all the race-goers the opportunity to see these beautiful cars up close over the race weekend,” said Sean Bratches, managing director Commercial Operations, Formula 1.

“It is going to be another way to deliver on our promise of making the spectacle more spectacular,” he added.

Al Tareq Al Ameri, CEO, Yas Marina Circuit, host of the first event said: “Collector car and memorabilia interest in the [Middle East] region is growing, so hosting the first auction of this new collaboration at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is perfectly timed."