Fires continue to devastate a large part of Australia and the Formula 1 community felt the need to do what it could to help those affected in the worst hit areas.

Formula 1 has therefore joined forces with others from around the world and, thanks to the cooperation of everyone in the F1 family, drivers, teams, the FIA and partners, an F1 Auction will take place from 22 January with all proceeds going to four charity and non-profit organisations, selected together with the Australian Grand Prix Corporation:

• Red Cross Australia;
• Country Fire Authority Victoria;
• Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal; and
• WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.

Up for auction will be exclusive items, signed merchandise and amazing ‘money-can’t-buy’ experiences. Among the many items already generously donated are the racing gloves and shoes used by Daniel Ricciardo during his first season with Renault, the helmet that Kevin Magnussen will use in the next FORMULA 1 ROLEX AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX 2020, race suits from Alexander Albon and Max Verstappen (Aston Martin Red Bull Racing), Romain Grosjean (Haas F1 Team) and Daniil Kvyat (Scuderia Toro Rosso) as worn in the 2019 season. 

Also up for auction are a meet and greet in the Australian Grand Prix paddock with drivers from several teams, including from Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas, from Aston Martin Red Bull Racing, Alexander Albon and Max Verstappen, from McLaren F1, Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz, from SportPesa Racing Point F1 Team, Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll, from ROKiT Williams Racing, George Russell and Nicholas Latifi as well as with Mattia Binotto, Team Principal at Scuderia Ferrari, Toto Wolff, the Team Principal of six times world champion team Mercedes, and Claire Williams, Deputy Team Principal at Williams. 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 today, 22 January, to 9 February for experiences and 16 February for products and merchandise items and can be found at https://www.f1authentics.com/.

Australia has always been and will continue to be a very special place for 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.

For those who do not wish to take part in the auction but would still like to send a donation, please consider the non-profits listed above.