Exclusive: Inside F1 Authentics, F1’s 11th team

FormulaNerds recently enjoyed an exclusive insight into F1 Authentics, touring its UK HQ.

Pulling up to Memento Exclusives, which houses F1 Authentics, the impression of this operation is immediate. Multiple large warehouses dominate the site, indicating this is far from a small operation.

The Lodge, that houses reception, gives a taster of what is to come. F1 helmets, car models and signed race suits galore adorn the walls. At this point, CEO Barry Gough emerges and begins our tour. Having founded the company in 2010, Barry cares deeply about Memento Exclusives and F1 Authentics.

Barry is a veteran of F1. A former mechanic for Simtek and Jordan, he was also number one mechanic to Jacques Villeneuve at BAR in 1999. He started Memento Exclusives to change the vast array of used car parts avoiding the terrible fate of ending up in landfill after a race.

Show cars: An F1 factory.

The scale of the operation at F1 Authentics is evident from the first stop on the tour. Two stunning completed classic show cars are waiting at the exit of the first warehouse. Both icons, the emotional impact of these cars is stark. The 1997 Williams FW19 and McLaren MP4/14 won the championship in their respective years. The buyer of these two gems will no doubt enjoy them immensely.

The birth of the cars can be seen when venturing inside the warehouse. A state-of-the-art 3D printer is housed here, assisting with how the car is created.

Once a mould has been made, the car is sent to composites and fabrication. Although these cars are constructed without an engine or gearbox, every other part of an F1 car is created to ensure buyers have a truly authentic product. The car build team operates like an F1 factory, with everything from wheel hubs to engine covers all meticulously recreated to be applied to the finished car.

While stunning attention to detail achieves a complete F1 car recreation, it should come as no surprise that Memento Exclusives has former F1 employees within its ranks. This results in knowledge and skill formerly applied in the sport now manufacturing F1 show cars.

A new facility for the spray painting phase of the car’s creation is nearing completion. The original space is now too small to keep up with the demand after just 18 months of operation. A system identical to those in F1 factories can detect colour and then assign the amount required to paint.

Race bays

Once painted, the final car assembly takes place in the equivalent of an F1 team’s base race bay. Here, the sheer volume of cars F1 Authentics is manufacturing becomes apparent. All looked beautiful, particularly the 2023 Alfa Romeo awaiting its front wing. F1 Authentics is familiar with this car, as it built the car the team used at its launch in February.

At this stage, Barry drops a bombshell. While F1 Authentics produced and sold 48 show cars in 2022, it is on course for 92 in 2023. An incredible achievement, considering a current F1 team’s factory spends a year organising parts for two under a cost cap. The most expensive show car ever sold here was an Alfa Romeo, selling for an eye-watering £350,000.

Simulators

It is not just show cars that adorn the race bays. At the far left, a row of in-progress Red Bull simulators launched in May await completion. Like the show cars, simulators are a game changer. The Red Bull simulator is based on 2022’s title-winning RB18, with a complete cockpit, side pods, front wing and halo all manufactured. With input from Red Bull, the brakes and steering easily create the closest experience to racing an F1 car.

Interest in the product has been significant. Customers in Las Vegas, Canada, and Mexico have all recently bought simulators. Drivers within motorsport are also expressing interest. For short of £100,000, the current discussions with clients for large orders for the remainder of this year and into 2023 means this market will continue to grow.

If anyone wants to experience this product, a promotional simulator currently sits at Selfridges in London.

Replica team wear and auctions

The next part of the tour explored the memorabilia part of the F1 Authentics operation. This department applies the same care and attention to detail as the team creating the show cars, and it very much shows.

All replica team wear arrives on-site directly from the teams. F1 Authentics then applies unique touches. Each item receives a certification pack to show all buyers that their item has come directly from F1.

Adding your name on the chequered flag for a race is now a popular product on the F1 Authentics site, and it originated as an idea from the team at Memento Exclusives. It is a brilliant idea, and seeing the team carefully during the manufacturing process add names to a flag summarises the passion behind the whole operation. Pictures and race suits are also prepared here, with the same dedication.

The final and unexpected part of the tour is seeing items reserved for auction. These are authentic pieces of F1 history; fans worldwide can bid to have these iconic car parts. On our tour, one such part available to see was a piece of Ayrton Senna’s 1993 McLaren Ford MP4/8 nose. Still in remarkable condition after thirty years, it was a privilege to see it, let alone to hold it. Sadly, the tour ended after a tour of the office area that houses the content team and the photography studio.

A passionate operation

Hard work reaps rewards. Memento Exclusives is an example of this in action. The massive building housing most non-manufacturing teams housed cows only a few years ago. Now it is the beating hub of a fantastic operation with nearly 100 dedicated staff.

Memento Exclusives’ expansion is down to its success and passion for F1. Branching out into new areas, the parent company of F1 Authentics also deals with UFC, specialising in memorabilia.

F1 Authentics is now a crucial part of F1 and its success. As the sport grows, so does the demand for memorabilia and replicas. The dedication and passion of all involved leave this crucial aspect of the sport in great hands.

From the CEO downwards, this company knows what it does is exceptional. A truly unique offering, if fans choose to buy from F1 Authentics, what arrives will be genuinely unique and prepared with the utmost care and passion for F1. It truly is F1’s 11th team.

Feature Image Credit: FormulaNerds via James Phillips