Charity Auction of Imola F1 Trophies Raises £247,171 for Local Flood Relief

In the aftermath of last month’s canceled race, Formula Imola, in collaboration with the Italian body ASN and F1, decided to contribute to flood relief efforts by donating the top three trophies and the winning constructors’ version to a charitable auction.

Additionally, Pirelli generously offered the pole position tyre award, while Ferrari Trento, the supplier of sparkling wine for the podium, donated a bottle of the same variety used during the celebrations.

During the Spanish GP weekend in Barcelona, all items were autographed by the current race drivers, numbering 20, with the trophies also bearing the signatures of the 10 team principals.

The auction, organized by F1 partner Memento Exclusives, successfully raised funds for the Emilia-Romagna region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection.

This auction provided fans and collectors with a unique opportunity to acquire contemporary F1 trophies, even though they had not been utilized or presented to specific drivers.

In addition to the autographs, the trophies hold historical significance as they feature engraved names of past Imola F1 race winners from 1980 to 2022, including renowned drivers such as Nelson Piquet, Didier Pironi, Patrick Tambay, Alain Prost, Elio de Angelis, Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, and Michael Schumacher.

The winning constructors’ trophy fetched the highest bid at £71,275, surpassing the drivers’ version, which sold for £60,100. The second and third-place trophies were sold for £37,325 and £32,050, respectively, while the Pirelli pole award topped them all at £40,745. The Ferrari Trento bottle fetched £11,175.

Pirelli F1 boss Mario Isola expressed his gratitude, stating, “Once again, the F1 community has demonstrated great generosity by collecting a sum through this auction that will be donated to those who are still grappling with the severe consequences of the devastating weather in Emilia-Romagna. Any form of assistance, no matter how small, can make a difference, and we are delighted to have made our contribution.”

Memento CEO Barry Gough shared his satisfaction, saying, “We are pleased to have supported the Emilia-Romagna Region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection and to have raised an incredible amount to be donated to this deserving cause. These items were truly one-of-a-kind, and to have generated £247,171 from their sale is absolutely fantastic.”

Posters signed by Alfa Romeo drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu are still available for purchase on the Emilia Romagna auction section of the Memento website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about charity auction

What was the purpose of the charity auction of Imola F1 trophies?

The purpose of the charity auction was to raise funds for local flood relief efforts in the Emilia-Romagna region.

What items were included in the auction?

The auction featured the top three trophies and the winning constructors’ version from the canceled Imola F1 race. Additionally, the Pirelli pole position tyre award and a bottle of sparkling wine donated by Ferrari Trento were also included.

Who autographed the auction items?

All the items, including the trophies, were autographed by the 20 current race drivers over the Spanish GP weekend in Barcelona. The trophies were also signed by the 10 team principals.

What was the historical significance of the trophies?

In addition to the autographs, the trophies carried the engraved names of past Imola F1 race winners from 1980 to 2022, including notable drivers like Nelson Piquet, Ayrton Senna, and Michael Schumacher.

How much money was raised through the auction?

The auction raised a total of £247,171 for the local flood relief efforts.

Where were the proceeds donated?

The proceeds from the auction were donated to the Emilia-Romagna region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection.

Were there any other items available for purchase?

Yes, posters signed by Alfa Romeo drivers Valtteri Bottas and Zhou Guanyu were still available for purchase on the Memento website’s Emilia Romagna auction section.

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