As the ultimate collectible for any F1 fan, an Official Alfa Romeo F1 Team Stake C43 Launch Car used in the team’s 2023 livery presentation is currently up for auction. As the coveted chassis no.1, it also arrives with a plaque signed by the driver line-up for this year including the ten-times Grand Prix winner Valtteri Bottas and young gun Zhou Guanyu and is the first time such a car has ever been made available for public sale.
While its show car status means it isn’t an operational vehicle and therefore isn’t built to withstand the loads experienced by a track-ready F1 car, the body is still constructed from the same ultralightweight pre-preg carbon fibre as the actual race car and the 3D-printed steering wheel features a functional screen and lights. The steering wheel is also functionally connected to the front wheels, meaning you can move them by turning the steering wheel and the wheels themselves are removable if its new owner wants to use the car for pit stop practice.
Weighing in at around 550kg, both the front nose cone and wing assembly are removable to make it easier to transport, so you’ll be able to ship it anywhere in the world you want it to go. Sure, it’s not a functional race car you can trailer across to your track day, but as the first time a brand new F1 spec car has been available for sale it’s still a very exciting opportunity. With the auction set to close on February 21st at 3 AM GMT, you’ve got five days left to bid, with the current figure sitting at £103,000 (AU$179,289).
