In 1990, Ayrton Senna clinched one of the most debated Formula 1 world championships following a collision with his teammate during the Japanese Grand Prix. Just two weeks later, Senna competed in Melbourne for his season finale and his last race using Honda’s V-10 engine. Now, 35 years later, the very engine from that final race and a practice session in Japan is set to be auctioned during Monterey Car Week in August.

Details Behind the RA100E Engine and Its Preservation

This RA100E engine represents the final V-10 unit Senna raced with Honda before they transitioned to a V-12 powerplant for the 1991 season. Normally, Honda’s Japanese engineering team would have dismantled the engine for inspection without any intention of reassembling it. However, since this was the concluding model of their V-10 engines, the company preserved it intact up until the previous year. Following that, the engine was carefully taken apart and cataloged in a large storage cabinet.

Significance of the Engine in the Auction Market

Honda Racing Corporation previously revealed plans to offer parts of an RA100E V-10 engine linked to Senna as part of a new memorabilia initiative announced in April. The original plan for Monterey Car Week involved auctioning separated engine components. This particular engine, however, is unique because it remains largely complete, with all parts stored together, maintaining its documented history as a whole unit.

Potential Buyers and Auction Expectations

For anyone owning a McLaren MP4/5B chassis, the engine could theoretically be reassembled into an authentic, working Honda V-10. More realistically, the auction winner will acquire a rare and valuable piece of motorsport history. Bonhams, the auction house managing the sale, has not provided an estimated price but emphasized that the engine will be sold without a reserve price, opening the possibility for competitive bidding.

The Enduring Legacy of Senna’s 1990 Season and Its Memorabilia

This engine stands as a tangible connection to Ayrton Senna’s intense 1990 season, marked by fierce competition and lasting controversy. It reflects Honda’s engineering legacy and the close partnership between the driver and manufacturer. As one of the final artifacts of Senna’s collaboration with Honda’s V-10 power, its appearance on the auction block is likely to attract collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, preserving the spirit of one of F1’s most iconic eras.