1985 Mercedes-Benz 190 E first bought by Ayrton Senna set for auction at £220k-£250k

A 1985 Mercedes-Benz 190 E 2.3-16, bought new by three-time Formula 1 champion Ayrton Senna, is set to be sold at auction by RM Sotheby's for an estimated £220,000-£250,000.

Inspired by his victory in the 1984 Race of Champions at the famous Nürburgring, the Brazilian driver set his sights on the 190 E after racing in a race-modified version of the car in the same Smoke Silver Metallic paint scheme.

Not only was the car once owned by the F1 legend, but the engine bay features the signature of fellow three-time champion Niki Lauda, who signed it at the 2016 Australian Grand Prix during his time with the Mercedes team.

"The Brazilian collected the car from the Mercedes-Benz factory alongside compatriot Maurício Gugelmin and drove it back to his English residence in Esher, Surrey," the RM Sotheby's listing explained.

The listing also states that Senna owned the 190 E for two years, during which he put 24,862 miles on the clock, according to the last service invoice before its sale.

Senna sold the 190 E in 1987 before it was sold once more in 1996.

"The 190 E was acquired by Robin Clark of Malmsbury, Wiltshire, in November 1987, as a friend of Senna’s manager Julian Jakobi," the listing added. "The sale was made in anticipation of Senna signing to race for McLaren, which would result in him moving from the UK to Monaco.

"In August 1996, the Mercedes-Benz was acquired by the consigning owner while living in the UK."

The Brazilian driver entered his F1 rookie season the same year he won the Race of Champions. He made his debut at his home race, the Brazilian Grand Prix in Rio de Janeiro, when he qualified 17th but ultimately retired from the race due to a failed turbocharger.

Over his F1 career, he raced for Toleman, Lotus, McLaren and Williams. He accumulated three drivers' championships, 41 grand prix wins, 80 podium finishes, and 65 pole positions before his tragic death during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix.