As with almost any sport, the question of who is (or was) the greatest Formula 1 driver of all time will always ignite debate. If raw statistics are the determining factor, it is hard to look beyond Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher. However, if we focus on sublime car control and the ability to extract every ounce of performance from every vehicle driven, Jim Clark and Ayrton Senna’s names come to the fore. Senna was a flawed character, but he was always capable of providing a driving master class in adverse conditions. Nowhere was this more apparent than during the running of the 1984 Race of Champions, conducted at the newly refurbished Nürburgring Grand Prix circuit. The invited drivers slipped behind the wheel of identical examples of the Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth for a race that sprung an enormous surprise. A newcomer to F1, Senna was pitted against such legends as Niki Lauda, Carlos Reutemann, and Alain Prost. The rain tumbled down, and Senna stormed to victory, marking him as a coming man. This event had a profound impact on him, so much so that he later purchased a new 1985 190E Cosworth as his daily driver. That car has recently hit the market, looking for a new home. You will find the Mercedes listed here at RM Sotheby’s in London, UK. It will go under the hammer on November 1st with an auction estimate of £220,000 – £250,000 (US$297,000 – US$338,000).

When he competed in the Race of Champions, Ayrton Senna was only four races into his Formula 1 career. He caused a sensation by qualifying third in a field comprising some of the greatest names in motorsport history. However, that proved to be a mere taste of what was to come as he romped to a win on a wet track the following day. It marked him as a man to watch, a belief reinforced at that year’s Monaco Grand Prix when he mastered appalling conditions to finish second in a race that saw many seasoned veterans parked in the barriers. The Race of Champions held a warm place in his heart, with Senna ordering this 190E in the same shade of Smoke Silver Metallic worn by his racing steed. He collected the car from the Mercedes factory and drove it to his home in the UK. It served as his daily driver for two years, with Senna accumulating 24,800 miles behind the wheel in two years, demonstrating that it was no garage queen. It subsequently found a new home before relocating Down Under in 2004. It has since returned to the UK and is set to cross the auction blocks. With the odometer now showing 154,000 miles, this classic has been driven as its creators intended. The seller doesn’t mention a restoration history, but its lack of cosmetic flaws suggests that it may have received at least a few touch-ups. The panels are as straight as an arrow, and this gem appears to have avoided the rust issues that often plague these cars.

Mercedes-Benz enjoyed a rallying history with some of its larger models, but saw the 190E as a perfect foundation to produce a smaller and more nimble competition weapon to take on the likes of Lancia in the World Rally Championship. With this in mind, Cosworth was contracted to produce an engine that would be competitive in that environment. However, the arrival of the Audi Quattro was a game-changer, rendering almost every rear-wheel-drive model obsolete. Therefore, not wishing to waste the money spent on the new motor, Mercedes turned its attention to Touring Car competition. The 190E’s 2,299cc four with the Cosworth twin-cam cylinder head churned out an impressive 183hp in European trim, although that figure dropped to 167hp for cars sold in North America. As a car that spent its early life in the UK, this Merc would produce the higher figure of the pair. Adding to its appeal is the illustrious first-owner’s decision to order the vehicle with the five-speed manual transmission with the dogleg first gear. This Mercedes is in excellent mechanical health, with Service Records and other crucial documentation tracing its history back to Day One. The most important piece of paperwork is the Vehicle Registration Document, confirming that Ayrton Senna was this classic’s first owner.

Ayrton Senna teamed the Smoke Silver Metallic exterior with Black leather interior trim when ordering this 190E. Its condition is impressive considering the car’s age and odometer reading. It suggests that this survivor has always been treated respectfully, with no significant wear or signs of abuse. The Aussie sun hasn’t exacted a toll on the dash or plastic, and the wheel is free from significant wear. The air conditioning system was disconnected to comply with Australian regulations, but with the system intact, returning it to a functioning state shouldn’t be difficult or expensive. Adding to this car’s rarity is the fact that it is one of approximately 600 produced in right-hand-drive form. The remaining vehicles within the 19,487 car build total had their wheel on the left.

Many people mourned the passing of Ayrton Senna, as it robbed them of the prospect of watching him and Michael Schumacher competing head-to-head at the height of their power. However, the racing persona was only part of his complex story, because he channeled a significant amount of his earnings into helping the underprivileged in his home city of São Paulo, Brazil. He could have turned his back on them, but he never forgot his roots. If this 1985 Mercedes-Benz 190E 2.3-16v Cosworth sells for even the lowest figure quoted in the auction estimate, the price will be a long way beyond the typical market value of any example in similar condition. However, the car’s pedigree and the devotion that many hardened enthusiasts feel for the late Ayrton Senna mean that it may push beyond the higher number. This Merc is far beyond my financial means, but I think that I will take the trouble to monitor the auction. I have a feeling that it could be a lively event.