Unique kit: Ayrton Senna's Formula 1 engine is sold

(Motorsport-Total.com/Motor1) - Next month, you have the chance to bid on a piece of Formula 1 history. One that shouldn't even exist. Bonhams is auctioning the last V10 engine Ayrton Senna ever drove. The McLaren Honda MP4/5B will be offered disassembled in an impressive display case.

Honda V10 engine from Formula 1 1990 Zoom

The 3.5-liter V-10 RA100E V805 engine put Senna on pole position at the 1990 Japanese Grand Prix at the Suzuka Circuit. This was the race in which he and Alain Prost collided at the first corner. Senna raced with this engine a few weeks later in early November at the Australian Grand Prix, but failed to finish the race, completing 61 of 80 laps.

After the season, Honda should have disassembled, analyzed, and disposed of the engine, as is normal practice. But 1990 was the last year for Honda's V10. Development of the V12 was in full swing, and there was no reason to disassemble it. The timing helped preserve the last V10 in its original condition.

In the meantime, Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) has apparently disassembled the engine. It will be delivered with an original certificate confirming its authenticity. The sale is part of HRC's new memorabilia business, which, according to the company, "aims to offer true motorsport fans worldwide the opportunity to own a piece of true motorsport history by selling valuable racing machines, engines, and their parts."

Senna's final V10 engine is the first item from this venture. There are plans to expand this business in the future. HRC will auction the engine with no reserve. The auction is scheduled for August 15 at The Quail during Monterey Car Week.

Source: Honda Racing Corporation