The Formula 1 community is certainly doing its part in the battle against Covid-19. First, there’s the generous donation of €1 million from the FIA to the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies. And on June 15, RM Sotheby’s will be holding an online auction – #RaceAgainstCovid – supporting the same charity and featuring items donated by various racing teams and drivers.
Of course, there is plenty of racing gear, from Damon Hill’s suit and helmet worn during his 1995 season with Williams F1, to a suit worn by nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner Tom Kristensen during his swansong 2014 season. Contemporary fans may also be interested in modern overalls from current racers, such as Ferrari wunderkind Charles Leclerc, and multi-time F1 World Champions Sebastian Vettel and Lewis Hamilton. There’s even a chance to get a day in Ferrari’s F1 driving simulator.
The biggest ticket so far though is undoubtedly the last car ever raced in Formula 1 by Toyota.
This TF109, chassis 01, was a development car for the 2009 season, Toyota’s last in the sport, and was tested by Timo Glock and Jarno Trulli, the team’s drivers at the time. Before the fallout of the global financial crash forced the Japanese marque’s exit from F1, the TF109 brought home five podiums in 17 races that year en-route to 5th in the Constructors’ Championship for the second year in a row for Toyota.
Following its racing career, chassis 01 was lent out to Pirelli as a tire test vehicle for 2010 and 2011, and completed more than 30,000km at the hands of Nick Heidfeld, Pedro de la Rosa, Luca di Grassi and Romain Grosjean. While it remains in the carbon-fibre black of the Pirelli era (not a bad look!), it retains its Toyota-built 2.4-liter V8 that made more than 700hp. More items are expected to be added to the auction, though it’s difficult to top the chance of owning an actual F1 car.
By the way, if you interested in seeing more of Toyota’s motorsport Hall of Fame, the company is now offering a virtual tour of its museum in Cologne, details of which you can read HERE.
*Images courtesy of RM Sotheby’s and Toyota Racing Team (facebook)
