The piece of F1 memorabilia now worth £18 million

As Formula 1 enjoys a surge in popularity around the world, fans are as eager as ever to get their hands on merchandise and memorabilia.

This is usually signed driver cards, diecast models or simply a selfie which can range in price from free to maybe a couple of hundred for a diecast.

But what about £15 million?

For that price, you could own the UK vehicle registration plate: 'F1.'

It was on this day in 2008 where British businessman Afzal Khan paid Essex county council £375,000 GBP for the 'F1' number plate, with it being sold to raise funds for the council after first being registered by Essex's county surveyor in 1904.

Khan put the plate on his McLaren SLR, but by 2010, it had been transfered to his Bugatti Veyron, when the BBC reported him turning down a £5 million offer.

Come 2018, it was up for £12 million, without VAT, which took the price to £14.4 million once the 20% rate and other expenses were factored in.

In 2024, a check of RegTransfers shows the 'F1' number plate is up for £15,009,995, which with VAT added clocks in at just over £18 million.