Formula 1, together with the Australian Grand Prix, is holding an auction to raise funds for four Australian charities associated with the aftermath of the bushfires.
Formula 1 will launch an auction starting on Wednesday, in order to raise funds to donate to four selected charities which are dealing with the aftermath of the bushfires that have proven disastrous across Australia.
Over the past few months, over 30 people have been killed by the fires, as well as over 2000 homes destroyed. Over a billion animals and tens of billions of insects have also been victims of the fires, according to estimates.
While the fires have calmed down in recent weeks with rain and storms finally hitting the areas required, there are still close to 100 separate fires still ablaze in Victoria and New South Wales.
Formula 1 has selected four charities to be the beneficiaries of the auction: Red Cross Australia, Country Fire Authority Victoria, Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.
Together with the Australian Grand Prix corporation, there will be exclusive items, signed memorabilia and ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences.
Listed amongst the many donated items from drivers and teams are used racing gloves and shoes from Daniel Ricciardo during his first season with Renault, the helmet that Kevin Magnussen will use at the Australian GP in March as well as used race suits from Alexander Albon, Max Verstappen, Romain Grosjean and Daniil Kvyat.
Several F1 personnel are auctioning meet and greet opportunities for the Australian GP weekend, including: Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas, Alexander Albon, Max Verstappen, Lando Norris, Carlos Sainz, Sergio Perez, Lance Stroll, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi as well as with team bosses Mattia Binotto, Toto Wolff and Claire Williams.
Hamilton donates $500,000 towards Australian animal charities
Team factory visits are on offer from McLaren and Renault, and there’s a chance to train with the Renault Sport Academy and a Paddock Club Experience courtesy of Pirelli, to be on board of the FIA Safety Car for a hot lap at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne and to visit the Race Control Room during the Australian Grand Prix and have dinner with Ross Brawn, Managing Director, Motorsport at F1.
The auction runs from January 22, to February 9 for experiences and 16 February for products and merchandise.
To learn more, head to https://www.f1authentics.com/.
“Australia has always been and will continue to be a very special place for Formula 1.” said a statement from Formula 1. “The Australian people are an integral part of our tight-knit community and we send our condolences to everyone affected by the awful fires.”
