This week on the Motorsport Prospects’ Last Lap, I look at both Mercedes and Monaco past and present, the scintillating 2023 Czinger 21C Prototype, more classic Top Gear with Richard Hammond, and the always wonderfully elegant diversions, auctions and racing and road car sales coming up.
The Last Lap will be on hiatus for a few weeks as I enjoy some R&R far from cell phones and the Internet before I head to the Canadian Grand Prix after a long two years. The Last Lap will return on June 26, 2022. Enjoy!
Mercedes-AMG Reveals their 1,063hp One Hypercar
Mercedes-AMG have finally unveiled their Mercedes-AMG One Hypercar and of course the reviews have been gushing. But don’t get too excited. It’s already sold out.
“Of course, what really separates the One from the rest of the AMG lineup is its Formula 1-derived, plug-in hybrid powertrain. At the heart of the boundary-pushing setup is the same mid-mounted, turbocharged 1.6-liter V-6 with a Motor Generator Unith (MGU-H) similar to the one you’ll find in Mercedes-AMG Petronas’s race cars. But the 574 hp engine—which is mated to a custom-made seven-speed automated manual transmission that sends power to the rear axle and has a 11,000 rpm redline—is only responsible for just over half of the hypercar’s power. The rest comes via the assistance four additional electric motors. One is directly mounted onto the engine, another onto the turbocharger, while the other two can be found on the front axle, one situated on each wheel. (The motors on the front axle also give the car all-wheel-drive capability.) As if that’s not enough, the system is connected to an 8.4 kWh battery pack that gives it 11 miles of electric range, should you need it.”
The Robb Report
“The One combines the electric, torque-vectoring front axle with hybrid rear under Merc’s familiar 4Matic+ all-wheel drive moniker; there’s pure electric range of 18km, which ought to draw some attention in low emission zones. The power reaches the wheels via an all-new seven-speed automated manual – not a phrase we expected to write here – specifically developed to be light, small and able to manage all that torque, with the locking diff included as part of the package. AMG says the ratios “are designed to minimise the power difference after upshifting and keep the combustion engine at high revs”. Well if you are going to put a Formula 1 V6 in a road car, best keep it front and centre of the experience…“
Piston Heads
The Story of the Mercedes T80 Land Speed Car
The ideas behind concept cars like the One Hypercar above are not just a recent phenomena at Mercedes. Classic Motorsports have the fascinating story of the Mercedes T80 Land Speed car which could have obliterated the land speed record if World War 2 hadn’t disrupted their plans. “Had the war not interfered with the Germans’ plan to capture the record from the British, Dr. Porsche’s radical Mercedes-Benz T80 could have topped Cobb’s final attempt. Even today’s official wheel-driven record of 437.183 mph, set by American George Poteet in his Speed Demon, is still well short of Dr. Porsche’s predictions for the T80. If this vehicle, conceived some 80 years ago, were completed today to Dr. Porsche’s original specifications, it could likely run to 460 mph and beyond.”
Take a Ride Aboard the 2023 Czinger 21C Prototype
MotorTrend took a ride aboard the 2023 Czinger 21C Prototype and called it one wild creation. “The result is a car that, from the rear passenger seat, feels like a high-downforce race car. The shock of the lateral g it pulls is matched only by the corresponding stability while doing it. No other street-legal car we’ve driven or ridden in feels this planted while cornering at these speeds.”
Porsche 959 vs Ferrari F40
I have more classic Top Gear for you as Richard Hammond compares the Porsche 959 with the Ferrari F40. His enthusiasm is always so infectious!
A Look at the History of the Monaco Grand Prix
As we experienced what some worry may have been the last Monaco Grand Prix (I believe it will be back), here are two great glimpses at the history of the Monaco Grand Prix.
The first is courtesy of the Monaco Tribune as they look at the Monaco F1 Grand Prix summed up in 5 legendary flashbacks. “As the 79th edition of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix gets underway this Thursday on the Principality’s legendary track, we take a look back at five unforgettable moments that have forever marked the history of the most prestigious of all motor races.”
The second is this wonderfully remastered video by Andrea Colombo of the 1955 Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix, Alberto Ascari’s last race.
Elegant Diversions, Auctions and Sales
$20 Million Texan Collection to Go under the Hammer
Texas kitchen entrepreneur Gene Ponder is selling off his 120-strong collection of European sports cars. The sale will be hosted by RM Sotheby’s from September 22-24.
“Over the course of 15 years Ponder gathered an incredible number of rare original classics and recreations, but has now decided to get rid of them all in one amazing garage sale. Hosted by RM Sotheby’s at Ponder’s purpose-built facility in Marshal, Texas, the sale includes a deep-red 1967 Ferrari 330 GTC (Hagerty #1 Concours estimated value $675,000), and a 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster (Hagerty #1 Concours estimated value $1.75 million). Also offered is one of only 14 1935 MG PB Airline Coupes, and an exact replica of a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic, built with authentic parts in Switzerland.”
The 2022 Highlands Motoring Festival
The Highlands Motoring Festival in Highlands, NC, will take place June 9-12 this year. The featured marque is Porsche and examples including a 550A, 904, 935, 959 and 917K are all slated to attend. More information can be found here.
2022 Hamptons Concours
The 2022 Hamptons Concours will take place July 16th at a private estate in Bridgehampton, NY. Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of Ferrari, this event features a catered brunch, specialty cocktails, fine wine and hand-rolled cigars. More information is available here.
A Ferrari Formerly Owned by Prince Bertil of Sweden
In the words of Classic Motorsports, “why just act like royalty when you could drive a car owned by actual royalty? Such is the case for this Ferrari 250 GT, which was previously owned by Prince Bertil of Sweden.” More details and photos are available at the Classic Motorsports site.
The Motorsport Prospects Selection of Race and Road Cars for Sale This Week
The Motorsport Prospects Marketplace was created in partnership with Racing Edge to offer a wide variety of race and road cars for sale from prestigious dealers around the world. Every week I bring you a variety of cars from their constantly expanding selection that catch my eye with information on how you may purchase any of those that are featured. This week’s selections were the following:
Author: Mark Boudreau
Mark is the publisher of Motorsport Prospects. As a former lawyer, he applies his legal background and research skills to assist race drivers by showcasing the resources they need to make their motorsport careers happen.