'Silicon F1' - 1997 McLaren F1 available to buy with cryptocurrency

The car comes with an estimated sale price in excess of $23,000,000 USD

An original 1997 McLaren F1 owned by Oracle founder Larry Ellison will be available through renowned auctioneers RM Sotheby’s.

Known as the Silicon F1 due to its tech wiz owner’s Silicon Valley links, the car will fittingly be available to buy with cryptocurrency and is the subject of a sealed auction.

You may have seen the Oracle logo on the Red Bull Formula 1 car during the last few seasons. The Milton Keynes-based team is currently three years into a five year deal with the company worth $500m.

The Silicon F1 story

Finished in Magnesium Silver and with less than 6,500 miles on the clock, the Silicon F1 is one of only seven US-delivered McLaren F1s. The car has remained California-registered since new and has had only three owners throughout its 27 year lifespan, with all coming from the San Francisco Bay Area.

As well as its original Magnesium Silver paint colour, the F1 retains its original engine, exhaust system, black leather interior and grey driver’s seat insert. The car comes accompanied by its owners’ manual, fitted luggage and service laptop with its most recent services being held at McLaren Philadelphia in late 2023 and 2024.

“The most important supercar ever built”

"The Silicon F1 has been carefully preserved by passionate owners in the heart of Silicon Valley since day one. The car has always lived at home, among the very people who recognised how ahead of its time it really was. With its analogue driving experience and extremely powerful powertrain, the McLaren F1 remains the fastest of its kind and, for many, the most important supercar ever built,” said Shelby Myers, Global Head of Private Sales, RM Sotheby's.

When does bidding open?

Bidding for the Silicon F1 opens on August 13th at 10am PDT via RM Sotheby’s Sealed. Before then, the F1 will be available to see in person during RM Sotheby’s Monterey 2025 auction preview at Monterey Car Week.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: RM Sotheby’s