2022 (1H) – Top F1 driver trading card sales

If we took the absolute top 10 sales for first half of 2022, the list would almost all be dominated by Lewis Hamilton Topps Chrome trading cards, so I’ve chosen to include other drivers for some balance! (but in doing so, I’ve had to lower the minimum sale price for this list is $USD10k. Lewis’ card values are in another league to the other drivers, including even Max).

ebay is still the most traded marketplace for trading cards by volume but to date, although Goldin Auctions (goldin.co) lays claim to the auction marketplace of super rare Lewis cards and record breaking sale prices. As you can see, not all of the cards on this list are rare Topps Chrome superfractor cards that are naturally highly sought after.

There is still the 2nd half of 2022 to go, so I’ll update this page with any new break through sales from time to time during the rest of 2022.

1. Lewis Hamilton – 2020 Topps Chrome Superfractor – $USD900,000

Sold in May, this Lewis superfractor card from the 2020 Topps Chrome F1 collection (PSA graded NM 7) went for a cool $US900,000 ($750K + buyer’s premium) at auction on Goldin auctions. This card clearly sets the current benchmark resale price for a Topps Chrome F1 card. A $US1m sale price for a Topps F1 card will no doubt be eventually achieved in the future.

2. Lewis Hamilton – 2016 Futera – $USD312,000

Sold via auction in March on Goldin auctions for $USD312k ($USD260k+buyer’s premium), this PSA 9 graded NM card is basically the only Lewis Hamilton rookie trading card that has been officially produced. According to PSA’s population grading database, this card is the highest graded copy of this card known to be in circulation.

3. GanYu Zhou – 2020 Topps Chrome Superfractor – $AUD58,000

Sold in March on ebay, this BGS 9 graded GuanYu Zhou rookie “Future Stars” superfractor card was sold for $AUD58,000 (approx $USD40k) as best offer accepted. Being the first Chinese driver in F1, this GP2 rookie card will no doubt have special appeal for China F1 fans and card collectors.

4.Lewis Hamilton – 2020 Tops Chrome Red 70th Anniversary – $USD45,700

Sold via auction in April on ebay, this PSA 9 graded Red Topps Chrome fetched $USD45,700. There have also been a number of after market auction sales of 2020 series Topps Chrome Lewis refractor cards in the 1st half of 2022 that have fetched between $10k – $20kUSD range.

5. Max Verstappen – 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire Red – $USD35,000

This PSA 9 graded red sapphire Max Verstappen was sold for $US35,000 fixed price on ebay in Jan this year. On the auction front, Max’s 2020 refractor cards have been selling in the $10k-$13kUSD range (PSA graded cards).

6. Charles Leclerc – 2020 Topps Chrome Red Refractor – $USD28,000

Sold via auction in May on ebay, this ungraded red refractor went for $28kUSD. Just like Charles’ on-track performances this season, Charles’ refractor card values fluctuate with his standings in the championship. When he and Ferrari were on a winning streak, his cards sale prices were up. If Charles can launch a fightback and challenge Max for the 2022 title, expect his Topps Chrome refractor cards to track his 2022 championship odds.

7. Max Verstappen – 2020 Topps Dynasty Patch Relic – $USD20,600

Although this triple patch relic card was technically a late Dec 2021 sale on ebay, it’s worth mentioning as an indicator of Max’s Topps Dynasty patch cards.

8. George Russell – 2020 Topps Chrome Sapphire – $USD15.6k

This PSA9 graded 2020 Sapphire went for $USD15.6k at auction in May.

9. Lando Norris – 2020 Topps Chrome Superfractor 70th Anniversary – $USD11,688

Lando’s Topps Chrome refractor and sapphire cards auction prices generally hover between $2k-$5USD but in March this year, this PSA8 70th Anniversary Superfactor went for $11.688kUSD at auction.

10. Red Bull Racing – 2020 Topps Chrome – 70th Anniversary Superfractor – $USD11,0000

Surprisingly non-photo cards can also be valuable! This Superfractor card of the Red Bull Racing team logo went for $11kUSD on ebay in May on best offer price.