Daniel Ricciardo on the Amsterdam canals with his STR7 Scuderia Toro Rosso car from the 2012 F1 season
It must have been a rare view for Amsterdam inhabitants today, with Daniel Ricciardo taking his former Formula 1 car for a spin on the Amsterdam canals. The remarkable ride unveiled the new online auction ‘A Decade of Daniel’ by Scuderia AlphaTauri on Catawiki, the online marketplace for special objects. The auction celebrates Ricciardo’s Formula 1 career and features several objects from his legacy, offering fans the opportunity to own a piece of racing history. Part of the proceeds of the special auction will be donated to the not-for-profit foundation Wings for Life, which is dedicated to finding a cure for spinal cord injury.
A Decade of Daniel
Ricciardo presented the key auction items at an exclusive event in Amsterdam hosted by presenter and racing driver Vicky Piria. To the delight of fans and spectators, he arrived there in style by bringing his STR7 to the event by boat. The Formula 1 driver who recently returned to the grid, shared some of his most special memories in his Formula 1 career reflected by the items that are going under the hammer.
The spotlight is taken by the STR7 Formula 1 car. Ricciardo drove this car during his first season at Scuderia Toro Rosso in 2012, scoring his first ever points in Formula 1. The car features a cutting-edge carbon-fibre composite monocoque chassis with the instantly recognisable iconic dark blue and red livery. Adding to this one of a kind object, fans can gear up for items from Ricciardo’s 2013 season - the year in which he earned his seat at Red Bull Racing and scored 20 points in the championship - including a signed race suit and balaclava.
The ‘Decade of Daniel’ auction also offers other unique collectables coming straight from the Scuderia AlphaTauri and Scuderia Toro Rosso archives, carefully selected by Catawiki motorsports experts. Highlights include the STR4 mock-up car from 2009, the full gearbox from the STR8 car and Max Verstappen’s Scuderia Toro Rosso 2016 preseason race kit. Items from the current F1 season, signed by the drivers, will also be part of the auction.
The auction is part of a series of five online auctions held this year, which aim at bringing the world of Formula 1 within the grasp of its passionate supporters. A total of over 300 collector's items are bound to make their way to their fans this year.
The first auction broke all previous records on Catawiki, attracting more than 200,000 unique visitors - from as far from Amsterdam as Japan and Hawaii - and counting over 2,500 bids. This immense response from fans reflects the craze for sports memorabilia; one of the fastest growing categories on Catawiki.
STR8 Gear box - 2013 season Daniel Ricciardo race suit, undersuit and balaclava- 2013
Marc Jans, Formula 1 expert at Catawiki, said: “Being able to put Daniel Ricciardo’s Scuderia Toro Rosso debut car up for auction is something truly special. Especially because this car has now not only conquered the concrete, but also the Amsterdam canals, adding a unique chapter to its journey”.
''I remember firing up the STR7 car on race day, it gave me goosebumps. I felt a lot of confidence in that car'' commented Daniel Ricciardo, Scuderia AlphaTauri driver. “I’m so excited to give racing fans the chance to own special objects from the first years of my racing career!”
The online auction ‘A Decade of Daniel’ with over 70 special objects is now open on Catawiki and fans can place their bids until September 3rd, 2023. More auctions by Scuderia AlphaTauri and Catawiki will be held in September, November and December this year.
