Brawn GP championship-winning car set for Miami auction

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A striking piece of Formula 1 history is hitting the auction block at next May's Miami Grand Prix: the very first car ever produced by the Brawn GP team, the 2009 championship winning BGP 001/01.

The prestigious event will handled by Bonhams on May 3 and and will mark the first time a Brawn GP car has been made available to the public.

Furthermore, this isn't just any F1 car, it's a symbol of one of the sport's most incredible against-the odds stories in its history.

The Ultimate F1 Underdog Story

The Brawn GP team’s 2009 season is the stuff of F1 folklore. Rising from the ashes of Honda’s abandoned F1 project, the team – led by Ross Brawn – staged an incredible comeback, taking on the might of Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull with a fraction of their budgets.

With Mercedes power bolted into a chassis developed under Honda ownership, Brawn GP delivered an astonishing campaign, securing both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championships in its sole season before being acquired by Mercedes.

The car at auction, BGP 001/01, is one of just three Brawn GP chassis ever built.

©Bonhams

It was driven by Rubens Barrichello throughout much of the 2009 season, claiming two race wins – at the European Grand Prix in Valencia and the Italian Grand Prix at Monza – along with four additional podium finishes.

It even played a pivotal role in the team’s spectacular one-two finish on its debut in Australia. While the car is finished in the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix livery from 2009, it remains a shining symbol of one of the sport’s greatest success stories.

The Secret Weapon: The Double Diffuser

At the heart of Brawn GP’s success was its groundbreaking ‘double diffuser’, a controversial but legal aerodynamic innovation that exploited a loophole in the 2009 regulations.

While rival teams scrambled to catch up, Brawn’s aerodynamic masterpiece dominated the early part of the season, with Jenson Button winning six of the first seven races.

This technological edge proved decisive in securing the championship before other teams could develop effective countermeasures.

A Car with a Championship Legacy

Following the 2009 season, BGP 001/01 was acquired by Mercedes, initially serving as a showcar before being transferred to Jenson Button under a contractual agreement that guaranteed him a car upon winning the championship.

However, a legal dispute ensued, with Button taking Mercedes to London’s High Court in 2010 to claim his rightful prize.

After a lengthy battle, the car remained in his possession until 2024, when it was made available for auction – though the identity of the current seller remains undisclosed.

A Rare Opportunity for Collectors

Louis Frankel, Miami head of sale at Bonhams, underscored the car’s significance:

“This car represents the ultimate Formula 1 fairy tale—a revolutionary design that redefined what was possible. Chassis 001/01 is a piece of motorsport history, and its offering at auction is sure to captivate collectors worldwide.

“We are honored to present this unrepeatable opportunity over the Miami Grand Prix, a stage befitting its legendary status.”

For collectors and F1 enthusiasts alike, the chance to own a piece of Brawn GP’s fairy-tale championship season is unprecedented.

With its combination of cutting-edge innovation, historic triumphs, and a legacy that laid the foundation for Mercedes’ modern F1 dominance, BGP 001/01 is more than just a race car – it’s a symbol of one of the most extraordinary seasons in Formula 1 history.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.