A one-of-a-kind Andrea Kimi Antonelli rookie trading card has sold for an extraordinary $878,400 at auction, equivalent to approximately €787,000, becoming the second-most expensive Formula 1 trading card ever sold. The rare 2025 Topps Chrome F1 card attracted 34 bids before being purchased for a final amount that came remarkably close to the existing record held by a Lewis Hamilton collectible.
Andrea Kimi Antonelli is attracting attention far beyond Formula 1 as the Mercedes driver approaches what could be a historic moment for Italian motorsport. Expectations surrounding his potential world championship triumph in Mexico are enormous, with confidence in his prospects exceptionally high. However, the Italian is also making headlines in the world of sports memorabilia, where collectors have spent an astonishing amount on a unique card featuring the young driver.
Kimi Antonelli rookie card sells for nearly $900,000 after 34 bids
Formula 1 has a passionate worldwide following, and tens of thousands of enthusiasts are also dedicated to collecting trading cards featuring their favourite drivers. Those two interests came together in a fiercely contested auction held just days ago, when a particularly rare Andrea Kimi Antonelli rookie card attracted considerable attention from wealthy collectors determined to secure it.
The bidding developed into an intense contest, with no fewer than 34 bids submitted before the winning offer was finally accepted. The successful buyer paid $720,000 for the card itself, with an additional $158,400 in auction fees bringing the final price to $878,400. That total, equivalent to approximately €787,000, makes it one of the most valuable Formula 1 collectibles ever sold.
The remarkable result reflects the growing attention surrounding Andrea Kimi Antonelli, whose performances for Mercedes have made him one of the most talked-about names in motorsport. His success at the United States Grand Prix further strengthened his championship position, with his Austin victory bringing him closer to the 2026 Formula 1 world title.
Why Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Topps Chrome F1 card is so valuable
The card responsible for the extraordinary auction result is a 2025 Topps Chrome Formula 1 autographed rookie card, numbered 1/1 and graded GEM MINT 10 by Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA). Its numbering confirms that only one example of this particular card exists, making it a unique collectible rather than part of a larger limited-edition production run.
The card features Andrea Kimi Antonelli smiling while wearing a Mercedes team shirt and riding a scooter. It also carries the Italian driver’s autograph in blue ink, alongside Topps’ distinctive gold SuperFractor finish, which gives the collectible its recognisable appearance.
Its exceptional rarity, autograph and top condition grade have combined to make the card highly desirable among collectors. Goldin, the auction house responsible for the sale, described the item as the “Holy Grail” of Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s Formula 1 career.
The auction took place during a particularly significant period for the Mercedes driver, as he moved closer to securing his first Formula 1 world championship. The timing contributed to the attention surrounding the sale, with the unique collectible attracting bids from buyers willing to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Lewis Hamilton still holds the record for the most expensive F1 trading card
Despite its extraordinary price, Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s rookie card did not quite establish a new Formula 1 record. That distinction remains with a trading card featuring seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton, which sold for approximately $900,000, just over $21,000 more than the Italian driver’s collectible.
The difference between the two sales is relatively small considering the enormous sums involved. Andrea Kimi Antonelli’s card therefore ranks second among the most expensive Formula 1 trading cards ever sold, narrowly missing the record held by the former Mercedes driver.
Another Kimi Antonelli card rises from $5,000 to $128,100
The $878,400 sale was not the only remarkable auction result involving Andrea Kimi Antonelli. Another collectible, a 2025 Topps Chrome F1 Red Refractor numbered 5/5 and graded PSA 9, was sold for $128,100, demonstrating the substantial sums collectors are prepared to pay for rare cards featuring the Mercedes driver.
What makes that particular sale even more striking is its earlier transaction history. According to specialist website Strictly Turn One, the same card had previously changed hands on eBay in February for just $5,000, before later attracting a buyer willing to pay more than 25 times that amount.
For the person who sold the card at the earlier price, the subsequent auction result represents a substantial missed opportunity. The extraordinary increase also illustrates just how dramatically the market for Andrea Kimi Antonelli memorabilia has developed during his rise towards the top of Formula 1.
With the Italian now fighting for the world championship and attracting attention well beyond the race track, the extraordinary figures achieved at these auctions demonstrate the level of interest surrounding his career. His popularity has also been reflected in Italy, where his ninth Formula 1 victory boosted television audiences during the Austin Grand Prix.
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