Mika Salo's famous F1 trophy up for auction, missing only its owner

A significant piece of Formula 1 history is heading to auction in Finland: the 1999 German Grand Prix winning trophy awarded to former Finnish F1 driver Mika Salo. The trophy, a crystal sculpture crafted by Waterford Crystal, was a gift from Salo's teammate Eddie Irvine after the Hockenheim race.

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The trophy's condition has one clear flaw: Pegasus's tail has broken off or detached at some point.

The trophy, standing 48 centimeters tall, is estimated to be worth €25,000. It comes with a certificate of authenticity signed by Mika Salo and its original transport case. However, the trophy has a notable imperfection: the tail of Pegasus, the mythical creature adorning it, is broken or missing. Auction house broker Petri Vuorinen notes that this damage is subtle and not immediately apparent to most observers.

Vuorinen believes the trophy could fetch its estimated price, though he acknowledges that final sale prices can be unpredictable. He hopes the trophy will remain in Finland, despite its potential appeal to international collectors. Waterford Crystal trophies of this caliber have previously sold for substantial sums, sometimes reaching up to €110,000.

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The first ten people who look at the trophy, nine won't even notice that its tail is missing.

Efforts are being made to invite both Eddie Irvine and Mika Salo to the auction center in Turenki to reminisce about the race and the trophy before the bidding begins. Salo, who drove for Ferrari in that race as a substitute for the injured Michael Schumacher, famously led for a significant portion before yielding to Irvine under team orders. Salo's second-place finish was his career-best F1 result.

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In the international market, similar trophies have sold for considerable sums.

Mika Salo commented that he gave the trophy to a collector "a long time ago," believing it would mean more to the collector than to him. He expressed sadness about its current sale, stating, "It's a shame it went up for sale." Salo, who retired from F1 in 2002, previously auctioned many of his racing memorabilia in 2020, including helmets and other trophies. The auction is scheduled for August 8-9, with the F1 trophy to be auctioned on the second day.

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It would be great.