2002 MBK 'McLaren F1' Scooter

As all F1 fans out there will know, the fastest vehicles at any F1 circuit are the F1 cars, the safety car, and the nippy little scooters that F1 drivers use to zip around the pit lane and the paddock.

We’ve all seen them. They look like a lot of fun.

The vendor, who collects all sorts of classic and other automotive bits and pieces, has decided that this is a collector niche he’d like to explore – which is why he has a number of these fabulous little pit and paddock scooters.

The example we have for you today was bought new by McLaren and, as a quick glance at the scooter’s livery will tell you, it was the personal pit lane and paddock transport of none other than Kimi ‘The Iceman’ Räikkönen during his time at McLaren.

Badged as an MBK ‘Nitro’ machine, the scooter is mechanically indistinguishable from the Yamaha YQ50 machine with which it shares all components and a 49cc engine.

Perhaps unsurprisingly, given its association with F1, the MBK ‘Nitro’ was noted for its lively turn of speed and sporty characteristics.

At the time of writing, we have been unable to start the bike, but we imagine that the cause is probably as simple as a fouled spark plug or something equally insignificant.

We know that the engine turns over and does run on easy-start.

Hopefully it will take the new owner an hour or two of dabbling to get it running in fine order again.

With just 884kms on the clock it’s perhaps not surprising to learn that this scooter is in very good, virtually as-good-as-new condition.

The bodywork is very smart indeed, not least because of the McLaren livery and Räikkönen badging, complete with little Finnish flags.

There are no dinks, dents, scuffs or scrapes that we can see and even minor scuffs, stone chips and scratches are rather more noticeable for their absence than their presence.

The wheels and front forks are in very good condition, and the tyres look to have plenty of life left in them, as you’d expect to find on a vehicle with such low mileage.

All in all, it’s really very good indeed.

The keener observers among you will have spotted that the inside of this scooter is very much in the same place as the outside.

Obviously, motorcycles, mopeds and scooters don’t really have an interior but we’re choosing this section to talk about the seats, instrumentation and controls.

The black vinyl on the main seat is untroubled either by time or use, as is the rudimentary pillion seat - we’ve all seen F1 drivers perched atop the pillion as they make the ride of shame from the location of their crashed car back to the pit lane.

The useful storage space beneath the seat is in good order.

So, too, are the dials, switches and controls, although, as we haven’t started or ridden the bike, we can’t vouch for their functionality, efficacy or accuracy.

Again, as we haven’t started or ridden the bike, we can’t voice an opinion on how well it handles or rides.

We can say that everything on and ancillary to the engine and drivetrain looks pretty much squeaky clean and minty fresh, and there are no big scuffs or dinks anywhere to suggest the bike has ever been dropped.

As for the underside, what you see is what you get. It’s all there, open for inspection, and it all looks good to us with no leaks, drips or damage.

The scooter comes with a sales invoice from McLaren, an old MoT certificate, a recent HPI report, and an envelope that contains a few unused McLaren logo decals.

We’ve no doubt that there are other Kimi Räikkönen vehicles that you could buy if you wanted to.

For the right money, you might be able to buy one of his McLaren or Ferrari F1 cars.

Well, you never know.

Failing that, you could make him an offer for his Ferrari Enzo or perhaps his Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge edition.

But if none of those routes to ownership appeals, this might just be the easiest (and most affordable) way to enjoy a very well-preserved vehicle that was once the personal transport of a legendary F1 World Champion.

We are happy to offer this car for auction with an estimate in the range of £2,000 - £5,000.

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this lot is located at THE MARKET HQ in South Oxfordshire. Viewings are STRICTLY BY APPOINTMENT and we are open weekdays (apart from Bank Holidays) between 10am - 12pm or 2pm - 4pm. To make a booking, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.