2002 McLaren Other McLaren Models

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION WITHOUT RESERVE at RM Sothebys Paris event, 28 January 2026.
Offered Without Reserve 1,000,000 - 1,400,000 EUR

• Winner of the 2003 Australian Grand Prix; brilliant recovery from David Coulthard to score his 13th and final Formula 1 victory
• Driven by F1 World Champion Kimi R ikk nen and Coulthard to a further five podium finishes across 2002 and 2003; started 12 races in total
• Originally built as an MP4-17A and upgraded to MP4-17D specification for 2003
• Presented in the 2002 West colour scheme sporting the #4 livery of R ikk nen
• Fitted with a 3.0-litre Mercedes-Benz FO110-series V-10 engine; requires a rebuild prior to use

As double Formula 1 World Champion Mika H kkinen opted to take a sabbatical for 2002, McLaren signed his rapid Finnish heir apparent Kimi R ikk nen from Sauber. Alongside David Coulthard, it made for a refreshed driver line-up. McLaren was fortunate to avoid shuffling its design department, also. Despite signing a contract with Jaguar, Technical Director Adrian Newey was convinced to stay and lead development of the new MP4-17.

An evolution of the MP4-16, the 2002 challenger sported dramatically sculpted lower front wishbones and updated bodywork over the Ilmor Engineering-built 3.0-litre Mercedes-Benz V-10 engine. The biggest change, however, was the late pre-season switch from Bridgestone to Michelin tyres.

Ferrari, followed by Williams, proved the early pacesetters across the opening seven rounds before chassis number MP4-17A-06 was called into action. Taken to Monaco as a spare car, it was piloted by R ikk nen to 6th in qualifying after a practice crash damaged another monocoque. He matched that feat for the European Grand Prix, then climbed three places in the race to give MP4-17A-06 a podium at its first attempt.

R ikk nen failed to finish the following British Grand Prix owing to engine failure but bounced back with 2nd in France. Initiated by a puncture, an early retirement beckoned in Germany before he rose from 11th to 4th in Hungary. Coulthard had his first turn behind the wheel of this chassis in the United States Grand Prix. The Scot converted 3rd on the grid before the campaign ended with a throttle-induced retirement in Japan.

The radical design of the MP4-18 proved so extreme that it never evolved beyond a troubled test programme. As a result, the MP4-17 was recalled for 2003 in enhanced D specification. This car was upgraded for the curtain-raising Australian Grand Prix. Coulthard ran wide through the opening corner in qualifying, resigned to start 11th. But pre-race rain threw a curveball. As conditions improved, Coulthard made a lap-two switch for dry tyres. With R ikk nen penalised for pitlane speeding, Michael Schumacher clonking a kerb, and Williams talisman Juan Pablo Montoya spinning late on, Coulthard swept past to win by almost nine seconds aboard MP4-17A-06. It would be his 13th and final F1 victory.

R ikk nen returned to MP4-17A-06 to snare 2nd at Imola but tagged the stalled Jaguar of Antnio Pizzonia in Spain to retire. Coulthard then chalked 6th in Monaco. A final outing for this car came in the 2003 season-ending Japanese Grand Prix. For its last dance, R ikk nen was in the hot seat. He lined up 8th, needing to win and for Schumacher (starting 14th) to fail to score to nick the title. Finishing 2nd, as his rival banked a point in 8th, meant the Finn would have to wait until 2007 to be crowned World Champion. Nevertheless, MP4-17A-06 had bowed out with a sixth podium.

For the 17 years that followed, this car was retained by McLaren. Acquired by the vendor in 2021, it is presented in its 2002 West livery and is fitted with a Mercedes-Benz FO110-series engine. Please note: the car, and engine especially, will require comprehensive reconditioning and parts supply prior to use. Interested parties are strongly recommended to enquire for an indication as to the extent of the works that could be required.


Please note this lot has entered the EU on a temporary import bond, which must be cancelled either by exporting the lot outside of the EU on an approved Bill of Lading with supporting customs documentation or by paying the applicable VAT and import duties to have the lot remain in the EU.

Veuillez noter que ce lot est entr dans lUE sous couvert dune autorisation dimportation temporaire, qui doit tre annule soit en exportant le lot en dehors de lUE avec une lettre de dbarquement approuv accompagn des documents douaniers ncessaires, soit en payant la TVA et les droits dimportation applicables pour que le lot reste dans lUE.

To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/auctions/pa26/.