An Interview with Eduardo Costabal | Sports Memorabilia Day | Case Study

As part of our Sports Memorabilia Day celebrations, we spoke to Eduardo Costabal, Director General of McLaren Barcelona and owner of the private museum, Chelsea 1979. My journey in motorsport began many years ago, participating in various prestigious competitions.

I started driving an Abarth Mille at a young age with my step father Santiago Bengolea, I achieved a few Daytona, and one of the highlights was winning the Spanish GT Championship in 2017. These experiences not only deepened my passion for motorsport but also allowed me to develop a close connection with the drivers and events that shaped the history of racing.

My decision to become a collector was purely driven by passion. The stories, the emotions, and the history behind every piece of memorabilia captivated me. It wasn’t just about owning items, but about preserving and celebrating the essence of motorsport and its great figures and stories.

Over time, this passion turned into a mission to safeguard the history of each of these sports. The first item I ever collected was something very special to me: the helmet from Eliseo Salazar, the one and only Chilean driver who competed in Formula 1.

This piece marked the beginning of my passion for motorsport memorabilia and has been the starting point for a collection that has continued to grow over the years. The emotions these pieces evoke are indescribable. Each item holds a unique emotional charge, instantly connecting me with special moments from the past. Every helmet, race suit, or accessory brings tears of joy, recalling victories, struggles, and defining moments in motorsport. They remind me of why I fell in love with motorsport in the first place and the legends who made it so memorable.

Listening to the stories of riders and drivers visiting the museum and seeing their own items whilst sharing their stories with me is something I can’t explain with words. I began organizing my museum in 2020, I have accumulated 47 years of experience and passion for motorsport, the actual collections span from the 1950s until today.

The collection had been growing over the years, but in 2020, I decided to create this unique museum, dedicated to preserving these historical items. It’s an ongoing project, a tribute to the greatness of motorsport and the heroes who made it what it is today. My collection spans a wide variety of items, primarily focused on Formula 1, MotoGP, rallies, and Dakar, but it also includes helmets, race suits, accessories, cars, and motorcycles from different eras. It’s truly a one-of-a-kind collection in the world, not only chronicling the championships but also capturing the iconic moments of each discipline.

Additionally, I have collections of Tintin memorabilia and antiques, which complement my passion for history in other fields like art & design, though my primary focus remains motorsport. It’s hard to choose, but these three items are particularly special to me: The motivation behind continuing to collect items from every historic F1 champion comes from a desire to preserve the global history of motorsport.

Every F1 champion represents a unique chapter in the evolution of the sport. My goal is to ensure that these stories are not forgotten and to allow future generations to appreciate the greatness of these drivers and the milestones they reached. Collecting these items is my way of safeguarding the rich history of motorsport. Yes, my museum has been used for several special events, such as the grand opening of the museum - for this occasion we had the honor to welcome Ari Vatanen, Bruno Senna, Fabio Quartararo, Aleix Espargaró, Emerson Fittipaldi, Sir Jackie Stewart, Eliseo Salazar, Santiago Bengolea, Jo. Ramírez, Zak Brown.

My close relationship with McLaren has played a significant role in this. The museum is located nearby the McLaren Barcelona dealership, which is the brand’s representation in the Iberian Peninsula (Spain, Portugal, and Andorra). This space is not open to the public, only accessible in special events (private and corporative) and to riders and drivers, who are invited to experience the collection as if it were their own home. It's a place where they can see memorabilia related to their own careers, making it a unique experience. Sports memorabilia holds immense value because it connects people with iconic moments, emotions, and the heroes they admire.

These pieces serve as tangible links to the glory of the sport, allowing fans to relive unforgettable events and celebrate the achievements of their favorite athletes. For many, owning a piece of memorabilia is like owning a piece of history. It’s unique, personal, and represents an irreplaceable connection to the athletes and the events that shaped the world of sport. My collection, being unique in the world, (hopefully) plays a role in preserving this connection for future generations.