You Can Buy Ayrton Senna's Actual F1 Engine

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC), Honda’s global racing division, will introduce a new merchandise and memorabilia line this week during Monterey Car Week in California. To mark the launch, HRC will auction a notable piece from its archives: the Honda V10 engine used by Ayrton Senna in his McLaren Honda MP4/5B during the final two rounds of the 1990 Formula 1 season. The engine will be presented in a custom case and auctioned by Bonhams at The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, on August 15.

“Throughout our history, Honda has won at the highest levels of motorsports all over the world, and the new HRC merchandise and memorabilia business is all about sharing our incredible racing heritage with our race fans in exciting new ways,” said Jon Ikeda, senior vice president, Honda Racing Corporation US. “HRC will build an even stronger connection with Honda and Acura enthusiasts by offering exclusive opportunities to own a piece of racing history, including limited-edition collectibles and rare artifacts from our storied legacy in motorsport.”

HRC will also showcase more than 60 years of Honda and Acura motorsports history during Monterey Car Week. Championship-winning vehicles will be on display at The Quail and at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca Raceway from August 13 to 16, representing Formula 1, IMSA, World Challenge, and the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy.

Honda RA100E V10 Engine Auction

The 1990 season was the last year Honda used its V10 engine in Formula 1. This particular unit, V805, powered Senna’s car during the Japanese Grand Prix warmup (round 15) and the Australian Grand Prix (round 16). Senna won his second Drivers’ Championship that year, and McLaren Honda secured its third consecutive Constructors’ title.

Normally, Honda F1 engines were dismantled and analyzed after each race, with most being disposed of afterward. Because development of the V12 engine for 1991 was already underway, this V10 was not taken apart. Instead, it was sent to the archives, where it remained until recently.

The RA100E-V805 engine has been carefully disassembled at HRC’s facility in Sakura, Japan, by the original builders. Internal and external components—including camshafts, cam covers, pistons, and connecting rods—are included in the auction, all housed in a custom display case with a certificate of authenticity from HRC.

Race Car Displays and Demonstrations

HRC will display and run several notable racing machines during Monterey Car Week, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of Honda’s first Formula 1 win and Formula 1’s 75th anniversary.

• Formula 1:
  • Honda RA272: Winner of the 1965 Mexico Grand Prix, Honda’s first F1 victory, will be displayed at The Quail and the Motorsports Reunion.
  • Williams FW11: Honda’s first F1 Constructors’ Championship-winning car from 1986, recently restored in partnership with Williams F1, will run in demonstration laps at the Motorsports Reunion, driven by Takuma Sato.
  • McLaren Honda MP4/7: A five-race winner in 1992, driven by Ayrton Senna and Gerhard Berger, will be displayed at the Motorsports Reunion.
  • 2025 Red Bull Racing RB21 Show Car: Powered by Honda’s current RBPTH003 engine, with wins at the Japanese and Emilia Romagna Grands Prix, will be displayed at the Motorsports Reunion.
• ALMS/IMSA:
  • Acura ARX-01b: Multiple race winner in 2008, competing in the Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup at the Motorsports Reunion.
  • Acura ARX-06: Acura’s current IMSA GTP entry will be on display at The Quail and the Motorsports Reunion.
• World Challenge:
  • Realtime Racing Acura NSX GT: Eight-race winner between 1997 and 2001, competing in the Scott Pruett Legends of Endurance Cup at the Motorsports Reunion.
• Isle of Man Tourist Trophy:
  • Honda RC145: Ten-time race winner in 1962, including the Isle of Man TT, will be on display at The Quail.
  • Honda RC163: 1962 250cc World Championship-winning motorcycle, also displayed at The Quail.