A Force India VJM01 from 2008 for sale at auction at the Goodwood Festival
A 2008 Force India single-seater, the VJM01, was for sale at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. A particular single-seater that had been transformed into a unique work of art in 2011.
A few weeks ago, the presence of many Formula 1 teams at the Goodwood Speed Festival was already announced, including Williams, McLaren, and Red Bull. Now, there is also an exclusive sale taking place there. Presented at the 2008 World Championship, the Force India-Ferrari VJM01 will be auctioned off during the weekend.
The single-seater will demonstrate a certain peculiarity as it was modified by the abstract expressionist artist Dexter Brown in 2011 for a special livery.
Direct sales:
Evidence of his skills
The Bonhams Cars sale held at the Goodwood FOS 2024 speed festival offers a selection of rare and exclusive cars, including the 2008 Force India single-seater, transformed into a work of art a few years ago. This unique piece was designed by the abstract expressionist artist Dexter Brown and gives the single-seater a livery of green, white, and orange, reminiscent of the recent Force India cars.
Driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, he obtained the team’s best result that year by finishing 10th at the Spanish Grand Prix. The team, which had come under the ownership of Dr. Vijay Mallya that season, had to build a car in record time and created the VJM01 by relying on the Spyker team’s car, which had become Force India in 2008. A strategy that had paid off that year.
A new outing for a new occasion
After being transformed into a work of art, the VJM01-05 was auctioned for charity in 2011, raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Force India Academy, before being kept by the team. This year, it’s back up for auction at the festival.
What makes this art car even more exceptional are the signatures of numerous personalities from the world of motorsport, including nine Formula 1 world champions: Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Niki Lauda, Damon Hill, Nico Rosberg, John Surtees, and Jackie Stewart. Other names include Dr. Mallya and Giancarlo Fisichella.
At the time, when he was approached for this project, the artist Dexter Brown openly shared his enthusiasm. “Of course, this isn’t the first car I’ve painted, but it’s the first time I have the opportunity to work with a modern Formula 1 car. It’s great to be part of such a unique project and I’m looking forward to seeing the public’s reaction,” he declared in 2011.
Vijay Mallya, whose team had contacted the artist at the time, said he was proud to see his Formula 1 car become a special work of art. “Seeing one of my Formula 1 cars turned into a painting is a wonderful initiative that combines two of my greatest passions: cars and art. I would like to thank Dexter for creating this exquisite work, which I am sure will be of great interest to art collectors around the world.”
The estimate for the selling price is 80,000 to 120,000 British pounds, which is 95,000 to 142,000 euros. The auction will take place this Friday, July 12. At present, the single-seater has not yet been put up for sale.
