On the sidelines of the Rétromobile 2025 show, the RM Sotheby's auction house will organize its sale. And among the hundred lots offered to collectors, there is one of the Williams driven by Jacques Villeneuve in Formula 1. A car much less prestigious than Michael Schumacher's Ferrari or Sir Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes.
After winning the world title in 1997 at the end of a tense and epic final Grand Prix at Jerez, Jacques Villeneuve probably did not expect to experience a 1998 season as difficult as the one he experienced in 1998 at the wheel of its Williams. The year 1998 was extremely difficult for the reigning world champion. His car is struggling and he cannot claim victory while McLaren and Scuderia Ferrari are fighting for victory almost in every race. Jacques Villeneuve still managed to score two podiums that season with two 3rd places in Germany and then in Hungary.
Three GPs for this car driven by Jacques Villeneuve
It is one of these Williams, powered at the time by Mecachrome, that RM Sotheby's is offering at auction for its sale organized on February 4 and 5 in Paris. A car driven three times by Jacques Villeneuve in Grand Prix: in Australia for the opening GP of the season then in Argentina for the 3rd round and a last time in Imola for the first Grand Prix of the season in Europe, San Marino with a 4th place result.
Much more affordable than the F1 of Michael Schumacher or Lewis Hamilton
Offered for sale by RM Sotheby's via the Williams Heritage division, this Williams FW20 is estimated between €200,000 and €300,0000. We are therefore far from the estimates of Michael Schumacher's Ferrari or Lewis Hamilton's Mercedes. It must be said that Jacques Villeneuve's track record is much less extensive in F1 and that this car did not really shine.
Crédit photo : TR Tomkins – RM Sotheby’s
