The Bonhams Cars auction at the 2024 Goodwood Festival of Speed, presented by Mastercard, features an array of rare models, including a standout 2008 Force India VJM01 art car. Designed by abstract expressionist artist Dexter Brown, this Formula 1 car, chassis VJM01-05, sports a vibrant green, white, and orange livery, echoing later Force India designs, unlike the original 2008 version which lacked green.
A Piece of Racing History
The car was driven by Giancarlo Fisichella, covering 3,870 miles across 16 of the 18 Grand Prix races in the 2008 season, except for Monaco and Canada. It achieved the team’s best result of the year with a 10th-place finish at the Spanish Grand Prix. The VJM01 marked Force India’s debut season under Dr. Vijay Mallya, who acquired the Spyker team in 2007, with the car being a modified version of the Spyker F8-V11.
From Racing to Art
After its transformation into an art car, the VJM01-05 was auctioned in 2011 for charity, raising funds for Great Ormond Street Hospital and the Force India Academy, and was later retained by the team. It is now being offered in display form, complete with its original gearbox but without the Ferrari 056 90-degree V8 engine.
Signatures from Racing Legends
This unique art car also bears signatures from numerous prominent motorsport figures, including nine F1 world champions: Michael Schumacher, Sir Lewis Hamilton, Sebastian Vettel, Fernando Alonso, Niki Lauda, Damon Hill, Nico Rosberg, John Surtees, and Sir Jackie Stewart. Other signatures include Dr. Mallya and Fisichella himself. Dexter Brown expressed his excitement at the opportunity to paint a modern F1 car, noting it was a unique project that he was thrilled to see come to life.
Merging Passions of Cars and Art
Dr. Mallya praised the transformation, saying, “Seeing one of my Formula 1 cars turned into a painting is a wonderful initiative that merges two of my passions: cars and art. Dexter has created an exquisite piece, sure to captivate art collectors worldwide.”
Available for Auction
The car, a one-of-a-kind collector’s item, will be available for purchase at the Bonhams|Cars sale, with an estimated price range of £80,000-£120,000.
