Models, art and McLaren ‘Hawaii shirt’

These days it takes a lot to surprise at auctions, but RM Sotheby’s Shift Online sale in April brought a real shock when a helmet worn by Ayrton Senna, inset below, sold on the hammer for £720,000 – a new world record.

Now, there are a few reasons why this is exceptional. This is the helmet Senna was wearing at Spa in 1992 when he climbed from his car to help the crashed Érik Comas in qualifying, iron-clad provenance of it being the real deal. Senna usually only wore a few helmets across a season and changed model every few years depending on who he drove for and what sponsorship he had. This was a Shoei model and race-used with McLaren. Its very easy to pinpoint exactly which era any of his helmets hail from.

The sale price of this lid is almost three times more than the old record (Charles Leclerc’s from the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix sold for £262,700 in ’23). It could have been an anomaly, with two determined bidders driving the price up, a case of right item, right occasion. But either way it’s a seismic result in the collectibles world, and one that could see some other rare helmets arrive on the market after being released from private collections or teams in an attempt to create their own eye-watering results.

However, this is more a reflection of how special a Senna helmet is. The Sid Mosca design never changed in essence through Senna’s entire career, making it the most recognisable helmet of the 20th century. And it’s the ultimate personal collectible to have from perhaps the most famed driver the sport has ever known.

Considering the same sale also offered up race-worn lids from Nigel Mansell (£62,400), Valentino Rossi (£4440) and Pedro Diniz (£1500) it goes to show how revered Senna is. The price was a statement, and sets a benchmark I’m not sure we’ll see beaten any time soon, but you never know at auction.

Andrew Francis is director at The Signature Store. thesignaturestore.co.uk

Kimi RÄikkÖnen Signed Ferrari F2007 brazil gp ’07

Who could forget Kimi Räikkönen’s 2007 world championship moment? Starting the finale in Brazil third in the points, few backed him to win the title. This 1:24-scale model is signed by the man himself.
£99.95, thesignaturestore.co.uk

Hollister linen-blend McLaren pattern Shirt

The weather’s on the up, so it’s time to reach for your shorts, sunnies and McLaren-flavoured Hawaiian shirt. Hollister’s latest linen-blend short-sleever is perfect for the (Long) Beach.
£49.95, hollisterco.com

Porsche RSR Turbo Print

Essex-based JJ Prints does a huge range of artworks, many with a racing-twist. We love this one depicting Gijs van Lennep and Herbert Müller’s 911 RSR Turbo from Le Mans 1974, which took on the Matras (and beat most!). Available in a range of sizes.
From £25, jjprints.co.uk

Whiskey Piston Co Tumbler

If you’re into whiskey then you’ll know that glassware matters. And you won’t get cooler than Whiskey Piston Co’s offerings. Each glass is cased in a forged aluminium piston head. Take your choice from Chevy LS or Cosworth YB.
£62, whiskeypiston.com

LEGO Speed f1 series car display frame

We’ve featured Lego wall mounts before, but we couldn’t let this new one go. Following the release of the entire 2024 F1 grid as scale Speed Champions kits, you can now get a wall hanger to display all 10 teams.
£150, elevenmark.com

Hertz Team Jota Water bottle

Jota has forged quite the following thanks to its Le Mans successes and peppy social media, oh and its factory deal with Cadillac and having Jenson Button as a driver. There’s now a merch range too, including this insulated water bottle.
£32, grandstandmerchandise.com