MPA Commercial brings together RM Sotheby’s and Formula One Group in global auction collaboration

By 11th April 2019NEWS

MPA Commercial is delighted to have worked with RM Sotheby’s, the world’s largest auction house for investment-quality automobiles and Formula 1®, the commercial rights holder for the world’s largest annual sporting series, in launching a global partnership befitting of two of the world’s premium brands.

The partnership, announced at the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix 2019, marks the start of a multi-year agreement between two global leaders. Over time the partnership is planned to grow in both scope and scale, incorporating both live GP-based sales and online auction capability, providing F1 fans and collector car enthusiasts around the world the chance to acquire their own piece of motorsport and automotive history.

The focus in the first year of this ground-breaking collaboration will culminate at the season-ending Formula 1 Etihad Airways Abu Dhabi Grand Prix 2019, with a sale of significant cars and memorabilia which will form the region’s first ever major international collector car auction. The auction will take place on the evening of Saturday 30 November 2019 at the stunning Yas Marina Circuit. The sale will focus on bringing together an expertly curated selection of significant Grand Prix racing machines and road-going sports cars with an historical connection to the world of motorsport, alongside a broader collection of hand-picked, blue-chip classic and supercars.

Announcing the partnership Kate Beavan, Director of Hospitality and Experiences, Formula 1®, said:

Everyone at Formula 1, along with our global community of fans love cars, old and new. To say that we are excited to be bringing a major collectors auction to the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix is an understatement! It has been a pleasure to work with MPA Commercial on this and thanks to their network and industry knowledge they have helped us, and RM Sotheby’s navigate and commit to a multi-year collaboration. Our objective is to make the spectacle of Formula 1 more spectacular and this collaboration is going to do exactly that.

Maarten ten Holder, President – EMEA and Chief Auctioneer, RM Sotheby’s, commented:

MPA have provided us with invaluable support, advice and insight to allow us to fully appreciate and harness the potential of Formula 1. Through their counsel and connections will have been able to structure a great partnership that we believe will entertain, excite and appeal to fans and our global collector market for many years to come. 2019 marks our 40thanniversary and for us there is no better way to celebrate this landmark year than by sharing our love of cars on the biggest stage possible.”

Ian Burrows, Chief Operating Officer, MPA Commercial, added:

We are delighted to have played a small part in bringing this great partnership to life; Formula 1 and RM Sotheby’s are global leaders in their respective fields and the chance to host the first ever event at the stunning Yas Marina Circuit over the Abu Dhabi GP weekend provides the perfect backdrop to launch the partnership. The real credit, however, should go to Kate and Maarten, and their respective teams. Under their guidance and expertise we expect the auctions will swiftly establish themselves as a great addition to the F1 spectacle.”

For more information about RM Sotheby’s please visit rmsothebys.com
For more information about Formula 1 please visit formula1.com
For more information about Yas Marina Circuit and the 2019 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix please visit yasmarinacircuit.com

Image credit: RM Sotheby’s