Honda is putting up for auction the last V10 engine that legendary Formula One racer Ayrton Senna ever used in a race, marking a significant piece of F1 memorabilia.
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The Honda RA100E V10 engine with serial number V805, a significant piece of Formula 1 history, is set to be auctioned at Bonhams' Quail Auction on August 15, 2025, during Monterey Car Week in Carmel, California. This engine, which powered Ayrton Senna's McLaren MP4/5B during the final two race weekends of the 1990 F1 season, is expected to fetch between $80,000 and $120,000 with no reserve[1].
This engine holds historical value as the very last Formula 1 engine powered by Ayrton Senna. It was used during the warm-up at the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka and the race at the Australian Grand Prix in Adelaide. The 72-degree V10 engine played a crucial role in Senna's second world championship title that year[4][5].
The engine's historical importance is heightened by the dramatic events of the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix, where Senna controversially collided with his title rival Alain Prost on the first lap, securing Senna’s championship but ending both drivers’ races. The engine itself remained preserved, unused and intact since 1990, until Honda Racing Corporation disassembled it recently for auction[2][3].
The RA100E was a cutting-edge 3.5-liter V10 engine with a 72-degree bank angle, 93.0mm bore, 51.5mm stroke, and a 12.4:1 compression ratio, representative of Honda’s advanced F1 engine technology at the time. As the last V10 that Senna raced with, it symbolizes the end of an era before V12s and V8s became dominant, and is a key artifact in Formula 1 legacy and Senna’s storied career[5].
The engine's race history includes the 1990 Japanese GP warm-up and the 1990 Australian GP race. Senna qualified on pole position at the Japanese Grand Prix but famously crashed into rival Alain Prost at the first corner, securing his title through a controversial collision. In the season-ending Australian Grand Prix, V805 powered Senna to another pole position and led 61 of 80 scheduled laps before a gear selection problem ended his race[6].
The disassembled engine resembles a mechanical art installation showcasing the engineering complexity of a 1990s F1 powerplant. Honda Racing Corporation's expert technicians disassembled every component of V805 and arranged them in a striking display case. The engine components could theoretically be reassembled into a running engine, but most buyers will likely appreciate the visual drama of seeing a complete F1 engine exploded into its constituent parts[7].
The engine produced approximately 680+ HP at 12,800 rpm[8]. The engine, beautifully disassembled and displayed in a custom cabinet, is now being offered by Honda Racing Corporation along with a certificate of authenticity[9]. This engine offers a unique opportunity for motorsport fans and collectors to own a piece of Formula 1 history directly linked to one of the sport's most legendary drivers, Ayrton Senna.
[1] Bonhams Auction [2] Honda Racing Corporation [3] Autosport [4] Motorsport [5] Racer [6] Grand Prix Legends [7] Classic & Sports Car [8] Motor1 [9] Car and Driver
- The Bonhams' Quail Auction will feature a sports-analysis piece, the Honda RA100E V10 engine, once used by Ayrton Senna during the European-leagues, specifically the Formula 1 season in 1990.
- During the auctions, buyers may find a motor from Senna's championship-winningyear, the RA100E V10, a symbol of sports-style engineering that underpinned the champion's success in that era.
- The disassembled RA100E V10 engine, with its sophisticated components, offers a glimpse into the style and technological advancement seen in sports like football and racing, showcasing just how engineering can make champions in different fields.
