Jenson Button's championship-winning Brawn F1 car sells in Miami auction for eye-watering sum

The Brawn GP Formula 1 car from the team's incredible 2009 season has been sold at auction for $3.8 million. This came during the 2025 Miami Grand Prix weekend, where Chassis 001/01, one of only three BGP 001 cars ever built, was sold through Bonhams|Cars. 

The 001 car is one of F1's most famous underdog stories, triggered by Honda leaving the sport in 2008. Ross Brawn and Nick Fry decided to buy the team for £1, partnering with Mercedes-Benz as its engine supplier, and the next year went racing. 

With its now-famous double diffuser, Jenson Button won the first six of seven races, beginning what became a dominant season that culminated in championship wins in both the drivers’ and constructors’ titles. Mercedes purchased the team at the end of the year, transforming it into a works team, and a successful one at that. Eight consecutive constructors' titles followed and seven drivers' championships split between Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. 

"This car represents the ultimate Formula 1 fairy tale – a revolutionary design that redefined what was possible,” Miami's head of sales for Bonhams|Cars, Louis Frankel, said ahead of the sale.

“Chassis 001/01 is a piece of motorsport history, and its offering at auction is sure to captivate collectors worldwide. We are honoured to present this unrepeatable opportunity over the Miami Grand Prix, a stage befitting its legendary status."

2009 Brawn GP Chassis 001

Photo by: Bonhams

President of the Miami Grand Prix, Tyler Epp, said the following:

“We are excited to continue our partnership with Bonhams|Cars and bring even more success to this year’s event,” said Tyler Epp, president of the Miami Grand Prix.

“There is a strong car culture in South Florida, and the community of fans and collectors in Miami are passionate about all types of cars, old and new.

“So for enthusiasts to have the opportunity to own one of the items in this special lot will add further appeal to a busy weekend of on-track action at this year’s race.”

The car sold at auction is an interesting specimen: driven by Rubens Barrichello in 2009, it was later given to Jenson Button, as promised by the team if he won the championship. Originally, Button was offered a replica of the car which he wasn't fan of, so after legal proceedings, he was eventually given Chassis 001/01. The car he drove was chassis 002, but this was kept in Brawn's personal collection. 

While $3.8 million is an jaw-dropping amount of money, it didn't hit its estimate of $4.5-6.5 million. Consisting of the original 2.4-liter 90-degree Mercedes-Benz FO108W V8 power unit, the car is capable of creating 750bhp at 18,000rpm. Unfortunately, it isn't able to put that power through its wheels thanks to its gearbox lacking any internals.