It’s not every day a Formula 1 legend autographs a $2.4 million hypercar—let alone one with fewer siblings than a Kardashian family reunion. This DBR22, one of just 10 ever built, represents Aston Martin’s “no-rules” approach to design, blending retro racing aesthetics with spaceship-grade carbon fiber. RM Sotheby’s plans to auction it through their curated sales division, where seven-figure vehicles increasingly find homes (often before hitting the auction block). Pro tip: Watch whether this sale bucks the 2024 dip in trophy lots—if it flies past estimates, it could signal renewed confidence in ultra-luxury assets.
Why should non-billionaires care? Because driver-signed memorabilia has become the sneaker resale market of the 1%—a playground for speculators banking on racing nostalgia. Alonso’s signature adds that crucial “provenance” dealers love to name-drop during champagne-soaked bidding wars. Our take: Even if you can’t afford the down payment, track this sale as a barometer for post-pandemic collecting trends—are we back to pre-2023 exuberance, or is the market still pumping the brakes?
Context & Background
The Aston Martin DBR22 is a modern halo car designed as a tribute to the brand’s 1950s-era DBR1 race car (which secured two World Sportscar Championship victories). Limited to just 10 units, the DBR22 features a screaming 5.2L twin-turbo V12 and a handcrafted carbon fiber body. Fernando Alonso, two-time F1 world champion and current Aston Martin Aramco Cognizant F1 Team driver, adds star power to this auction—collectors covet driver-signed vehicles, especially those tied to motorsport legends. RM Sotheby’s, known for handling premium collectible cars, positions this sale as a marquee event for ultra-high-net-worth auto enthusiasts.