To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Milan event, 22 May 2025.

• One of seven examples of McLaren’s 2001 challenger; designed under the direction of Formula 1 luminaries Adrian Newey and Neil Oatley
• Raced by David Coulthard to victory in the 2001 Austrian Grand Prix
• Scored pole positions for that season’s San Marino and Monaco Grands Prix
• Achieved a podium in San Marino; set the fastest race laps in Austria and Monaco
• Driven by two-time Formula 1 World Champion Mika Häkkinen to 3rd in Canada
• Evolved into MP4-16B specification and tested by F1 race winner Jean Alesi
• Retained by McLaren until June 2020; offered by its one private owner in non-running condition fitted with a dummy engine

Among the most successful drivers never to win the Formula 1 World Championship, 13-time Grand Prix victor David Coulthard emerged as the greatest threat to Ferrari’s Michael Schumacher in 2001. At the wheel of the McLaren MP4-16, the Scot finished runner-up in the standings and trumped Finnish team-mate Mika Häkkinen for his finest season thus far. Of the 65 points he amassed, no fewer than 24 were earned aboard chassis number 16A-05.

Coulthard ignited his title tilt with 2nd and 3rd place finishes in the opening two rounds of the campaign, before expertly squeezing down the inside of Schumacher to win in Brazil. As the F1 fraternity docked in Europe for the first time that term, with the San Marino Grand Prix at Imola, chassis 16A-05 was called into action. Coulthard pipped Häkkinen to pole by 0.228 seconds but was jumped at the start by Ralf Schumacher to classify 2nd. The car enjoying a rapid start to front-line action, it was recalled for the next race in Spain. Coulthard qualified an impressive third but, thanks to launch control issues following the mid-season reintroduction of driver aids, stalled on the dummy grid. Starting at the back, he sustained first-lap nose damage before finely recovering to 5th.

A superbly judged triumph arrived at the third time of asking for 16A-05. Coulthard started the Austrian Grand Prix weekend with a subdued run to 7th in qualifying, a headwind creating rear instability to blame. But in the race, an overcut strategy (waiting longer than Schumacher and Rubens Barrichello to pit) paved the way for victory by 2.2 seconds to cement Coulthard’s status as McLaren’s best championship hope. His celebrations were muted, though, out of respect for the death of Paul Morgan, the co-founder of Ilmor Engineering, the firm that worked with Mercedes-Benz to create the MP4-16’s 3-litre V-10 FO110K engine.

Back-to-back successes might have arrived on Coulthard’s doorstep, with the Monaco resident snaring pole on the principality streets. Another traction control glitch put paid to his chances, however. He failed to launch on the parade lap so again recovered from the tail end of the grid to nick 5th place.

Round eight of 17 brought a trip to Canada. A costly mistake early in qualifying for Häkkinen prompted the double World Champion to takeover 16A-05 for the rest of the session. The car optimised for Coulthard, he only managed 8th. Despite then shipping two places at the start, Häkkinen fought back to 3rd to chalk his first podium of the year.

Having served as the spare car at Silverstone, chassis 16A-05’s final race arrived in Germany. Coulthard was back in the hot seat to nab 5th in qualifying before climbing to 3rd in the race, only to retire from an engine failure. Thereafter, this MP4-16 was on standby for four of the remaining races but was never needed.

The car did evolve into ‘16B’ specification for a three-day test at Paul Ricard in the hands of Jean Alesi in 2002 and remained part of the McLaren stable until June 2020. Then acquired by the consignor, chassis 16A-05 is offered in non-running condition and is presented with a dummy engine for display purposes. Otherwise complete, this Grand Prix-winning F1 car would make for a sensational additional to any motorsport-themed collection.

Please note that this lot is subject to VAT on the full purchase price (both on the Hammer Price and Buyer's Premium). Please note that due to VAT requirements this lot may only be sold for export and trade, interested private buyers, please contact RMS directly.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/ml25/.