A unique and exclusive auction of Renault cars called ” Renault icons “, will take place on December 7 in the heart of the Renault plant in Flaine-sur-Seine, near Paris (also home to the future museum of Renault collections).
There will be no less than 180 road cars, race cars, concepts and other collectibles up for sale, but none have a higher estimated value than this Williams-Renault FW19, driven sporadically by Jacques Villeneuve in 1997 when he won the World Drivers' Championship. It could change hands for between €800,000 and €1.2 million ($1.3 million to $2 million Canadian), according to Artcurial.
Developed under chief engineer Adrian Newey (prior to his departure to McLaren), the car in question is the third of seven FW19 chassis built by Williams for the 1997 season. It was first used in pre-season testing, then as Jacques Villeneuve's reserve car at the Australian, Monaco, German, Japanese and Spanish Grands Prix. His only participation was in the Brazilian Grand Prix with Villeneuve's teammate Heinz-Harald Frentzen at the wheel, finishing ninth.
Photo: Artcurial
This FW19 then took part in winter testing in December 1997, driven by Max Wilson and one Juan Pablo Montoya, who was still a Formula 3000 driver but had become a signature Williams driver in 2001. It officially entered the Renault collection on 1 October 1998, having been the subject of an agreement between Williams and Renault for the return of the single seater at the end of the 1997 season.
Since then, rarely exhibited and carefully preserved, the car is equipped with a Renault RS9 V10 engine, suspension system, chassis, electrical wiring, electronic control modules, as well as radiators. It is painted in Jacques Villeneuve's livery and his number 3, and has the initials “JV” on the inside of the seat.
Photo: Artcurial
The other FW19 single-seaters that the Quebec driver drove more in 1997 cost more, of course, but this one still remains high enough to top a million. Be sure to admire it in the photo gallery at the top of the page.
By the way, the Renault Icons auction also features a 1983 Renault RE 40-03, which was driven by Alain Prost, in particular during his victory at the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps. Its value is estimated at between 500,000 and 800,000 euros (815,000 and 1.3 million Canadian dollars).
