The impact Formula 1 can have as a sport on society is only becoming apparent recently. F1 has a huge global following. However, in recent years, it’s afforded them a platform that can be used for good. And the tragedy that struck the Emilia-Romagna region just a few weeks ago is an example of it. After the devastating floods that plagued the Italian region, F1 as a sport stood tall, in support. Now, Charles Leclerc has raised his hand to do the needful for the community.
Earlier this month, the 25-year-old Monegasque who calls Italy his second home of sorts due to his Ferrari ties, pledged to help the inhabitants of the region. He took to Twitter and explained, “After the tragedy that happened in Italy in Emilia Romagna with floodings recently, I decided to sell all my racing kits from my home Grand Prix. So, it’s a very special one. It was raining, so you can see everything is still a little bit dirty. But, together with Sotheby’s, we have organized an auction.”
Charles Leclerc parts ways with an invaluable Grand Prix tool to help Emilia-Romagna
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The Monacan racing ace decided to auction “the gloves that I wore during the race, the racing shoes that I wore during the race, of course, the racing suit together with the fireproof underwears, and finally, my racing helmet from the race.” The biggest lot of them all have now got him $54,500 to share with the charity.
After the recent floods in Emilia Romagna, I decided to auction all of my racing kit from the Monaco GP weekend. I hope that we can raise as much money as possible for the people that really need it in this difficult time. The auction organised by @rmsothebys will be live from… pic.twitter.com/k2u7fp0Gnm
— Charles Leclerc (@Charles_Leclerc) May 31, 2023
Leclerc came onto his Instagram account recently to share an update as to the auction. In his story, he shared a screenshot of the highest bid that won his race suit. According to the post, he collected a whopping $54,500 for that piece of race gear!
But that wasn’t it!
Leclerc shares heartwarming thanks to fans who donated
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Out of the four lots he had put up for auction, all of them sold out. Leclerc then subsequently took to his Instagram account to share the final details of the total sum raised for the Emilia-Romagna region.
He wrote, “Thank you so much to all the people who did participate to the auction. 358,000 euros (approx $380,000) is an incredible amount that I’m sure will help many people. Thank you so much.”
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What Formula 1 has done for the people of Emilia-Romagna will always stand testament to the fact that this is more than just a sport. F1 is a family.