JUST IN: Kimi Räikkönen’s McLaren MP4-17A returns to auction with a €4.2 million estimate
One of Formula One’s most intriguing modern-era machines is heading back under the hammer. Kimi Räikkönen’s McLaren MP4-17A—an iconic car from the 2002 Formula One season—has been announced for auction once again, carrying a headline estimate of €4.2 million. Remarkably, this marks the second time the car has been offered for sale since its competitive debut more than two decades ago.
The MP4-17A represents a fascinating chapter in both McLaren’s history and Räikkönen’s early Formula One career. Driven by the young Finnish driver during his second season in the sport, the car played a key role in establishing Räikkönen as one of the most naturally gifted drivers of his generation. Despite McLaren’s fierce competitiveness in 2002, reliability issues plagued the MP4-17 and its evolved “A” specification, denying the team consistent victories and ultimately the championship fight against Ferrari.
Still, the car’s reputation has only grown with time. Designed under the technical leadership of Adrian Newey, the MP4-17A was a bold and aggressive machine, featuring innovative aerodynamics and a Mercedes-Benz FO110M V10 engine that was among the most powerful of its era. Although it did not secure a race win, the car’s raw pace was undeniable, and it remains a symbol of what might have been in one of Formula One’s most competitive seasons.
For collectors, the appeal of this particular chassis goes far beyond its on-track results. Räikkönen’s later success—most notably his 2007 World Championship with Ferrari—has significantly elevated the historical importance of cars associated with his early career. As a result, machinery linked to the Finn has become increasingly desirable, especially examples from his McLaren years, which many fans regard as the peak of his pure driving brilliance.
The €4.2 million estimate reflects a broader surge in the value of modern Formula One cars, particularly those from the late 1990s and early 2000s. Unlike contemporary hybrid-era cars, these machines are celebrated for their screaming naturally aspirated engines, lighter weight, and mechanical simplicity—qualities that resonate strongly with collectors and enthusiasts alike. Cars from this period also benefit from being more display- and demonstration-friendly, further enhancing their market appeal.
That this MP4-17A is returning to auction adds an extra layer of intrigue. Its previous appearance on the market in the early 2000s came at a time when Formula One memorabilia had not yet reached today’s stratospheric valuations. Since then, the collector car landscape has changed dramatically, with significant appreciation seen across historically important single-seaters.
As the auction approaches, all eyes will be on whether the McLaren meets—or exceeds—its ambitious estimate. Regardless of the final hammer price, the re-emergence of Räikkönen’s MP4-17A serves as a reminder of a thrilling era in Formula One history, and of a car that, while never fully fulfilling its promise on track, has achieved lasting significance off it.
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