Ayrton Senna Honda NSX for sale

A HONDA NSX supercar once regularly driven by legendary Formula 1 driver Ayrton Senna is coming up for auction.

The stunning car, which is still in exemplary condition, was bought for Senna by his manager and friend Antonio Carlos de Almeida Braga, for the three-time World Champion to use when visiting his home in Portugal.

After Senna’s untimely death in 1994, the NSX sat for two years in Portugal, with strict instructions that no one should be allowed to use it – or even touch it.

Its eventual buyer only kept it for a short time before selling it on again to the present owner 17 years ago. Finished in black with a black leather interior, the left-hand drive car has covered only 31,800 miles.

It is set to go under the hammer at Silverstone Auctions’ Race Retro & Classic Car Sale on February 22 and 23, with an estimate of between £75,000 and £85,000.

Nick Whale, managing director, Silverstone Auctions, said: “Very rarely does a car with such pedigree and provenance come to market, especially with such a powerful and personal link to arguably the greatest F1 driver of all time, and as such, we’re incredibly excited to offer it for auction.”

The auction comes 12 months ahead of Honda’s eagerly-anticipated return to F1 as an engine supplier to McLaren, recreating a partnership that brought Senna great success.

By Press Association reporter