Amsterdam, 13 December 2019 - Formula 1 fans, brace yourselves. This week Catawiki, the online platform for unique and rare objects, will auction an original Max Verstappen/Red Bull Racing media F1 racing helmet. The helmet is from the successful season of 2017 and the visor is signed by him personally. It is very rare that a helmet of the Dutch Sportsman of the Year 2016 is auctioned, because helmets from Max Verstappen hardly ever go on sale. The helmet contains several elements that verify the authenticity of the helmet. The special auction went online this morning and will be open until December 26th. Catawiki's auction experts estimate the value of the helmet at least €15,000.
The characteristics of the helmet
This striking collector's item has been used by Verstappen and his team at various media events. The design of this Arai GP6 helmet comes from Jens Munser (JMD), a well-known and specialized helmet designer. The deep blue background makes the almost fluorescent red stand out, and the recognizable lion on top of the helmet subtly refers to the Netherlands. In addition, on the inside there are several Arai labels and a FIA hologram, as well as the SA90 certification which shows that the helmet is approved for use in professional motorsports.
Marc Jans, Sports Memorabilia Expert at Catawiki, says: "This helmet is very special. Max Verstappen helmets are hardly ever on the market and are therefore very rare and sought after. This collector's item is a great asset for motorsport enthusiasts and a good investment. As experts at Catawiki, my colleagues and I often see very interesting items in the mobility segment, and are particularly delighted with this valuable object. This Arai GP6 helmet is the only helmet from the F1 season 2017 available for collectors and fans, and I am proud that we will have the opportunity to offer it at Catawiki."
Step into Max’ shoes
Few Dutch people will not be familiar with the great talent Max Verstappen. His professional racing career started in 2015 and with his 17 years and 166 days he was the youngest Formula 1 debutant of all time. The 22-year-old Belgian-Dutch racing driver has never been a stranger to the racing world: his father is a former F1 driver and his mother is a former professional kart driver. Max drives under the Dutch flag and has been part of the Red Bull Racing team since 2016. At the moment Max is one of the most famous and popular drivers and is praised by many for his exciting and aggressive way of driving. Many see him as a great candidate to win one or more future the Formula One World Championships.
