Senna’s F1 wheel will race away at auction
A STEERING wheel used by one of the greatest Formula One racing drivers of all time – Ayrton Senna – is coming up for auction.
The wheel was given as a gift to Robert (Bob) Preece who worked in F1 for more than 20 years from the mid-1980s onwards.
The Lotus wheel, on a wooden plaque, bears the inscription, ‘Presented to Bob Preece for his help and co-operation in helping his friends at Team Lotus – Senna Imola 87’.
The 1987 San Marino F1 Grand Prix was held on May 3 at the Autodromo Dino Ferrari, Imola, Italy. The race was won by British driver Nigel Mansell in a Williams FW11B, ahead of Brazilian Ayrton Senna driving a Lotus 99T.
The steering wheel, which is being sold together with photos autographed by Mansell and Senna, will go under the hammer at Hansons Auctioneers’ Iconic 20th Century sale on November 6 with a guide price of £3,000-£5,000.
Bob, 68, from Cannock, became a familiar face on the F1 circuit. Known as ‘Pop’ Preece, he worked as a truck driver for Goodyear and Renault. He said: “Formula One was my life for around 25 years until I retired. I transported F1 racing cars to events all over the world.
“We all worked as team. We travelled, slept and ate together for months at a time. The job was everything to me. It was a labour of love.
“After my duties were finished with Goodyear, another team mate and I sometimes volunteered to help out the Lotus team. It was something we did on a regular basis for nothing – and I was richly rewarded.
“One day, the Lotus team presented me with the mounted Senna steering wheel to say thank you. A photo signed by Ayrton Senna, which is being sold with the steering wheel, is made out to my son, Adam. Ayrton was a really nice, friendly person.”
Rik Alexander, who is managing the sale for Etwall-based Hansons, said: “This is a truly iconic item. Senna is regarded as one of the greatest Formula One drivers of all time – some say the greatest ever. He won the F1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1988, 1990 and 1991. 91
“Sadly, he died young, killed by the sport he loved at the age of 34 in 1994. He lost his life in a racing accident while leading the San Marino Grand Prix at the Imola track. Poignantly, it was the place where Bob received his gift seven years earlier.”
Rik said: “Bob has many great memories of his days spent trackside but feels the time is right to part with his steering wheel memento. We hope it goes to t someone who h is i truly t l passionate about Formula One, a Senna fan who understands and respects the risks, skill and dedication displayed by top drivers in a competition that entertains the world.”
The Senna steering wheel will be sold on November 6 in Hansons’ Iconic 20th Century sale. Lots include an F1 Renault shirt worn by Bob Preece. To find out more, email ralexander@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk.