We are delighted to announce the sale of McLaren MP4/4A-04, one of the most historically significant Grand Prix cars ever built. Known universally as the most dominant Formula 1 design of all time, the MP4/4 redefined what was possible in the sport, winning an extraordinary 15 of the 16 races in the 1988 World Championship and leading 97.3% of all racing laps, a level of superiority that has never been matched.

Among the six chassis produced, chassis 04 stands out for its exceptional period achievements in the hands of Alain Prost, including landmark victories at Monaco, Mexico, and France, as well as further podium finishes and multiple fastest laps. It also benefits from having never suffered accident damage during its period racing campaign, an increasingly rare distinction among contemporary Formula 1 chassis.

At the heart of the MP4/4’s success was the extraordinary technical partnership between McLaren and Honda, whose RA168E 1.5-litre turbocharged V6 engine provided an unbeatable blend of performance, efficiency and reliability in the final year of Formula 1’s turbo era. Paired with McLaren’s revolutionary ultra-low chassis concept, it created a package so advanced that it reshaped expectations of what a Grand Prix car could achieve and set new standards that influenced the sport for years to follow.

The sale of MP4/4A-04 represents one of the most important transactions in the modern collector car market. Its combination of rarity, provenance, engineering brilliance and flawless period record positions it not only as a trophy of motorsport history but also as an irreplaceable cultural artefact from Formula 1’s most iconic era.

It is always exciting and stimulating to be involved with cars of such immense importance, but even within the calibre of motor cars we are privileged to handle, this example is a true standout. It has been especially rewarding to place MP4/4A-04 into a great home, and we are certain it will be seen back on the track many times in the future.