In May 2004, a $300,000 diamond attached to a Formula 1 car went missing after a crash during the Monaco Grand Prix. The diamond was part of a promotional stunt by Jaguar Racing, aiming to boost its image amid poor performance. Despite extensive searches and numerous theories, the diamond has never been recovered, leading to speculation about its fate.
Jaguar Racing's team principal at the time, Tony Purnell, and communications director Nav Sidhu both believe the diamond was real and likely picked up by someone unaware of its origin. The incident highlights the intersection of sports marketing and unexpected outcomes in high-stakes environments.