Grapevine: 'F1' to be Put Up for Sale
Formula One's richest players could help make history later this year with the car registration plate 'F1' set to become the most expensive number plate to be sold in the UK
Essex County Council, who have owned the number plate since 1955, are putting it up for auction to help raise funds for road safety. The Council will also put the '1F' plate up for sale.
It is hoped that it will beat the previous record price of £231,000 paid for a number plate, which went to the Sultan or Brunei when he bought K1 NGS in 1993.
Council officials are understood to have made contact with Formula One figures to gauge interest - and claim that offers exceeding the record price have already come in.
A council official told The Sunday Times: "The plates are particularly suited to rich individuals involved in F1 racing. At the start of the Formula One season last year we asked for expressions of interest in F1. Since then we have received high six-figure offers for the plate - some well in excess of £231,000."
The F1 number plate was originally owned by Essex county surveyor Percy John Sheldon, who attached it to his 15hp Panhard Levassor four-seater in 1904.
About this article
| Series | Formula 1 |
Starting Grid for the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix
F1 Fast Facts: Emilia Romagna Grand Prix
Why Russell was right to be wrong about Bottas after Imola F1 clash
George Russell and Valtteri Bottas' collision at Imola on Sunday prompted fury in the Formula 1 paddock. But Russell's carefully-worded heartfelt statement later, acknowledging that his initial response was wrong, proved the right move
How Verstappen and Hamilton’s Imola clash sets the tone for F1’s 2021 title fight
In Max Verstappen's Formula 1 career to date, he has been cast as the 'pretender', an acknowledged top-line performer without the car to regularly challenge Lewis Hamilton. But that no longer applies in 2021, and the start to the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was the most telling signal yet of what we can expect from their duel this year
How “overwhelming” McLaren move has given Ricciardo a new verve
Daniel Ricciardo has found a new lease of life at McLaren – a move that’s been years in the making, as he explains to STUART CODLING…
The German legend who raced and beat Nuvolari
Ninety years ago, Rudolf Caracciola became the first non-Italian to win the epic Mille Miglia. We look at how he stacks up to the most famous pre-war ace Tazio Nuvolari, one of the drivers he beat on that day in 1931
How 2021's midfielders have taken lessons from F1's top teams
Formula 1’s latest Imola adventure turned into an expensive trip for many teams due to several crashes throughout the weekend. While balancing the books is an added factor in 2021 with the cost cap, a few midfield teams have cashed in early on development investments
Emilia Romagna Grand Prix Driver Ratings
A frantic wet race at Imola produced plenty of excitement and drama as drivers scrabbled for grip. Amid the hatful of mistakes and incidents that ensued, who kept their noses cleanest?
How the Emilia Romagna GP result hinged on three crucial saves
Rain before the start of the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix promised to spice up the action, and the race certainly delivered on that. Max Verstappen got the best launch to win from Lewis Hamilton, but both got away with mistakes that could have had serious consequences
The back-bedroom world-beater that began a new F1 era
The first in a line of world beaters was designed in a back bedroom and then constructed in a shed. STUART CODLING recalls the Tyrrell 001
