A Formula 1® car is one of the most striking objects a collector can own. At F1® Authentics you will find two kinds: genuine race cars and officially licensed show cars. From a few metres away they can look almost identical, but they are different creations, with different histories and different uses.
Here is what each term means, and what to ask before you buy.
What is an F1® race car?
A race car is a chassis built by the team to compete or to test. Its value comes from its history: the season it ran, the drivers who raced it, the circuits it visited and the results it achieved.
Race cars come to market in different states. A rolling chassis keeps the car's structure and bodywork, but some or all of the power unit and electronics have been removed. A small number are kept in running order, and those may be suitable for demonstration runs under controlled conditions.
The product description sets out what is known about each car's history and what it keeps from its time on track, such as its steering wheel, seat or braking system.
What is an F1® show car?
A show car is a full-scale replica of a Formula 1® car, built for display rather than the track. It is the car you see at launches, sponsor events and exhibitions: the look and presence of the real thing, without the complexity of a race car underneath.
Our show cars have no engine or gearbox. They are built to match the look and detail of the car on the grid, and our latest models add genuine carbon fibre components, official Pirelli tyres, functional steering and fully movable wheels.
Our officially licensed show cars are created in partnership with Formula 1® and the respective teams.
Explore F1® race cars and show cars
Are F1® show cars full size?
Yes. A show car is a full-scale replica, so it has the presence of the real car in a room. Our specialists can confirm the exact dimensions of a car and advise on space, access and positioning before it arrives.
On our latest 2026 show cars, the front wing and wheels can be removed for transport and the floor is made in two sections, so a car can be installed even where access is limited.
Race car or show car: which is right for you?
Choose a race car if the race is the point: a specific chassis, a one-off driver performance. It is the rarer object and availability is limited. Some race cars are offered privately, so it is worth telling a specialist what you are looking for even if it is not listed.
Choose a show car if you want the look and presence of a current or classic Formula 1® car for a private collection, a gallery, a showroom or a hospitality space. Show cars are offered in the liveries of the current grid, so you can own the car your team races in today.
If you want to drive as well as display, our F1® simulators are built around the front half of a real Formula 1® show car.
What to ask before you buy
- Is it a race car, a rolling chassis or a show car?
- For a race car, what history is documented, and what does the car keep from its time on track?
- Is it officially licensed?
- What are its dimensions, and how will it be delivered and installed?
We deliver worldwide. Our team has longstanding experience in global trade and single-seater car transport, and will provide a bespoke shipping quote for your car and location.
