Formula One raises £245,000 for Imola flood relief
F1 Authentics, Formula 1, Pirelli and Ferrari Trento have raised more than £245,000 for the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection.
While the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix was set to take place as the first European round of the 2023 F1 season over the weekend of the 19th – 21st May, extreme flooding in the region forced the sport to call off the event. Following the cancellation, Formula One decided to join forces with F1 Authentics, Pirelli, Ferrari Trento, Automobile Club d’Italia and Formula Imola to raise money for the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection.
The campaign involved a collection of extremely exclusive memorabilia auctions, hosted on the F1 Authentics platform, including the Pirelli Pole Position Award trophy and all four Podium trophies - all of which would have been awarded at the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix - as well as an official Ferrari Trento Bottle of Sparkling Wine. All of these items were also signed by all current drivers, with the podium trophies also boasting autographs from Team Principals too.
All auctions closed on 6th June, collectively raising a huge £247,171 for the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection. The flood relief will receive this large sum to help in the wake of the devastation caused by the flooding in Imola. Ferrari Trento have also committed to matching the amount raised from the Podium Bottle auction, to add to this total.
Commenting on the action, Barry Gough, Founder and CEO of Memento Exclusives and F1 Authentics, said: “We are pleased to have been able to support the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection and help raise an incredible sum, to be donated to this worthy cause. These items were all ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ pieces, and to have raised £247,171 from them is absolutely fantastic.”
Pirelli Motorsport Director Mario Isola, added: "Once again the F1 community has shown great generosity, collecting through this auction a sum to be donated to those who are still suffering from the damage caused by the bad weather in Emilia-Romagna, which has been very serious and whose consequences will weigh heavily on the population for a long time. Any help, even a small one, can help and we are happy to have made our contribution.”
Matteo Lunelli, President & CEO of Ferrari Trento, commented: “Ferrari Trento is proud and honoured to play a role in supporting the people affected by the floods in Imola. This is an issue close to our hearts especially due to the proximity of the floods, happening in our home country.
“That is why Ferrari Trento will be matching the proceeds generated by the auction of the special Jeroboam bottle, that should have been on the Imola podium, and double the donation to the Emilia-Romagna region. The auction was a success, and we are grateful to the drivers and Formula 1 team for their support and participation."
