A rare model of a Mercedes racing car from the past was sold at auction for a record amount of 17.5 million British pounds, the BBC reported.
The car was driven by Formula 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio. The amount for its purchase is unofficial, but if confirmed, it would be the most expensive car sold at auction of all time. The Mercedes won the German and Swedish Grand Prix in 1954. British BBC Formula One journalist Andrew Benson compared it to the equivalent of ancient Greek art in motorsport. Despite this compliment, however, according to him, there are more beautiful models of Mercedes from that time.
The buyer is a private person and is anonymous. He was bidding on the phone.
The previous world record for the most expensive racing car sold was set with the purchase of the 1957 Ferrari prototype, the 250 Testa Rossa, which was acquired by a proud owner for a modest £ 16.4 million in 2011.