Kimi Antonelli rookie card sells for over $200,000

A one-of-a-kind trading card featuring Mercedes junior driver Kimi Antonelli has sold for $201,910 at auction, becoming the most expensive card for the young prospect and highlighting the booming market for Formula 1 memorabilia. The sale underscores the growing intersection of F1 fandom and high-end collectibles, driven by official partnerships and increasing mainstream interest in the sport.

Why it matters:

The sale price, which makes it the seventh-most expensive F1 card ever, signals a maturing and lucrative secondary market for F1 trading cards. It reflects the sport's successful expansion into new commercial and fan engagement avenues beyond the track, turning drivers and moments into tangible, high-value assets for collectors.

The details:

• The card sold by Goldin Auctions is a 2025 Topps Dynasty F1 Racing 'Jumbo Patch Autograph' rookie card. It features an autograph and a race-used patch from Antonelli.
• The record for an F1 trading card remains the 2020 Topps Chrome Lewis Hamilton SuperFractor Autograph, which sold for just over $1 million in December 2024.
• Lewis Hamilton himself commented on the growth of the market, noting the life-changing impact such a find can have for a fan and expressing his own fascination with the collectibles.
• Topps has been the official licensee for F1 trading cards and stickers since 2020, renewing its multi-year partnership in 2024. The company is owned by Fanatics, a major player in sports merchandise.

What's next:

The trajectory suggests the market for premium F1 collectibles will continue to grow. As F1 attracts a newer, broader global audience and with continued investment from official partners like Topps, rare items associated with both established stars and rising talents like Antonelli are likely to maintain or increase their value, further cementing F1's place in the world of high-stakes sports memorabilia collecting.