Monaco Set to Host Blockbuster RM Sotheby's Auction: Senna's F1 Car, Rare Bugatti Headlining
The glamorous principality of Monaco is once again preparing to host one of the most anticipated events in the global classic car calendar: RM Sotheby's biennial Monaco auction. Scheduled for April 25, 2026, at the prestigious Grimaldi Forum, this sale coincides with the historic Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, drawing an international assemblage of collectors and enthusiasts. With a combined pre-sale estimate approaching €25 million, the auction promises an extraordinary selection of sports, racing, and contemporary performance vehicles, including several highly significant machines poised to command staggering prices.
Star Lots Take Center Stage
Among the dazzling array of automobiles, a few standout lots are already generating considerable buzz. Headlining the auction is a magnificent 1961 Ferrari 250 GT SWB California Spider by Scaglietti, with an estimated value ranging between €14.5 million and €16.5 million. This particular example is one of only 56 short-wheelbase models ever produced, and even rarer, one of just 39 featuring coveted covered headlights. Its history includes being delivered new to the German Ferrari importer Auto Becker and showcased at the 1961 Frankfurt Motor Show, cementing its provenance and desirability among discerning collectors.
Another Maranello masterpiece set to cross the block is a 2014 Ferrari LaFerrari, formerly owned by Jamiroquai frontman Jay Kay. This contemporary hypercar carries a pre-sale estimate of €4 million to €4.5 million. What makes this LaFerrari particularly unique is its striking 'Signal Green' finish, believed to be a one-off paint-to-sample specification, complemented by an exposed carbon fibre roof. Jay Kay famously piloted this very car up the iconic hillclimb at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, adding to its charismatic appeal.
Beyond Ferrari, a truly exceptional and ultra-rare piece of Bugatti history will be offered: a 1999 Bugatti EB112. This four-door luxury performance sedan, estimated at €1.5 million to €2 million, never reached full production, with only three examples ever completed. The car up for auction is one of these incredibly scarce vehicles. Designed by the legendary Giorgetto Giugiaro of ItalDesign, the EB112 boasts elegant, flowing lines and is powered by a naturally aspirated 6.0-liter V-12 engine producing 450 horsepower, coupled with an all-wheel-drive system and a six-speed manual transmission. With just 241 miles on the odometer and a recent full restoration, it represents a unique opportunity to own a significant piece of Bugatti's ambitious, albeit short-lived, Romano Artioli era.
Historical Significance and Market Insights
For motorsport enthusiasts, the auction presents a truly iconic piece of Formula 1 history: the 1984 Toleman TG183B, driven by none other than Ayrton Senna in his Grand Prix debut. This car, estimated between €2.8 million and €3.8 million, is profoundly significant as it was the vehicle in which Senna contested four rounds of the 1984 season, notably securing his first World Championship points. For Romanian readers, the mention of Ayrton Senna immediately brings to mind one of the sport's greatest legends, making this particular lot resonate with immense historical value.
The RM Sotheby's Monaco auction, held every two years, has a long-standing reputation for bringing together some of the world's most valuable and historically important automobiles. The event is a key indicator of trends within the high-end collector car market, often setting new benchmarks for rare models. The strong estimates for the upcoming sale, particularly for iconic Ferraris and a car tied to a motorsport legend like Senna, underscore the continued robust demand for vehicles with impeccable provenance, rarity, and significant historical narrative. While many auctions might showcase a wide variety, Monaco traditionally focuses on curated selections of the truly extraordinary, appealing to a global audience where exclusivity and heritage are paramount.
As collectors prepare for what promises to be a thrilling day of bidding, the RM Sotheby's Monaco auction remains a pivotal event, not just for the staggering sums involved, but for the opportunity it provides to acquire vehicles that are, in essence, rolling pieces of art and automotive history.