Ayrton Senna’s 1990 F1 helmet sold for more than €150,000, becoming the most expensive racing helmet ever

Ayrton Senna’s helmet that he wore in the 1990 Formula 1 season fetched a staggering €162,000 (£142,000) at auction on February 6. That’s a new record for a racing helmet at auction as the previous record was held when Senna’s 1991 helmet sold for £74,750 in 2012.

This Rheos helmet came complete with a radio and a certificate of authenticity from Senna’s manager, Angelo Parrilla, who was present during his karting days. It was expected to fetch between €80,000 and €120,000.

A host of Michael Schumacher memorabilia also sold, with a helmet of his from the 2005 French Grand Prix taking €63,000 – it was expected to change hands for up to €50,000.

His 1994 Benetton steering wheel took €7200 and a piece of the rear wing that dislocated in a qualifying crash in the 1994 season-ending Australian Grand Prix took €2640, which was below estimate.

More: Pat Symonds on Senna, Schumacher, Alonso

Selling for double its estimate, Fernando Alonso’s 2006 Renault F1 overalls took €6000; Giancarlo Fisichella’s overalls from the same season sold for €1440.