Ayrton Senna’s record-breaking McLaren that won the 1993 Monaco Grand Prix heads to auction for £4.3MILLION
Brazilian ace Ayrton Senna won his final Monaco Grand Prix 25 year ago in this 1993 McLaren with the famous orange and white Marlboro livery
AYRTON SENNA'S record-breaking McLaren is heading to auction for £4.3million - 25 years after it claimed Monaco Grand Prix victory.
The iconic motor in the classic orange and white Marlboro livery was driven by Senna to his sixth victory at the famous street circuit in May 1993.
The three-time world champion saw off rivals like Damon Hill, Michael Schumacher and Alain Prost in the race to claim his sixth Monaco victory - beating Graham Hill's 1969 record.
The Brazilian race ace would tragically die just under a year later at Imola after the momentous win.
Bonhams has slapped a €5million (£4.3million) price tag on the rare motor - but it could rival the £5.5million paid for Schumi's 2001 title-winning Ferrari.
The 1993 season was Senna's last with McLaren where he was paid a reported $1million per race.
Chassis number '6' of the McLaren-Ford MP4/8A model competed in eight of the 1993 season's races - finishing second on its debut in Barcelona.
He also race in Canada, France, Britain, Germany, Belgium and Italy - finishing fourth at three of the events.
But it was at Monaco where it made its name - completing the historic victory.
It wasn't without incident, though, as Senna crashed violently into the barriers at the famous St Devote corner after problems with the ultra-modern active suspension in practice.
The car was repaired by engineers in time for the race with Senna taking advantage of a time-penalty for Prost and hydraulic failure for Schuey to take the chequered flag 15 seconds ahead of Hill.
Mark Osborne, Bonhams global head of motorsport, said: "Ayrton Senna was the most charismatic Grand Prix car driver of the modern era, and the MP4/8A was the car with which his team, McLaren, surpassed Ferrari as the most successful team in Formula 1 World Championship history.
"This particular chassis, number 6, cemented Senna's legend as The Master of Monaco.
"We at Bonhams are both honoured and thrilled to be presenting one of the most significant Grand Prix cars of all time. It is his Monaco winner, it is a runner, and now it could be yours."
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The iconic single-seater is to be offered at Bonhams Monaco sale on May 11.
McLaren have also honoured the name of Senna this year with a new £750,000 hypercar revealed - just 500 will be made and some profits will head to Senna's foundation.
We reported how the McLaren Senna had been spotted testing on the M25 nine months before it was due to be delivered to lucky buyers.