F1 launches charity auction for Australia wild fire victims

The auction will feature both meet-and-greet style packages and exclusive merchandise, generously donated by teams and drivers.

The list of merchandise includes gloves and boots worn by Renault's Danial Ricciardo in 2019, the helmet that Kevin Magnussen (Haas) will wear during this March's Australian Grand Prix, and race suits from Red Bull duo Alex Albon and Max Verstappen, as well as Haas' Romain Grosjean and Toro Rosso's Daniil Kvyat.

As for the meet-and-greet experiences, a number of teams will make drivers and personnel available to winning bidders during the Australian Grand Prix weekend, including Mercedes (Lewis Hamilton, Valtteri Bottas and Toto Wolff), Red Bull Racing (Verstappen and Albon), McLaren (Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz), Racing Point (Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll), Williams (George Russell and Nicholas Latifi and Claire Williams) and Ferrari (Mattia Binotto).

There is also a hot lap in the FIA Safety Car at Albert Park up for grabs, as well the chance to visit race control during the Australian GP and the opportunity to dine with Ross Brawn.

McLaren and Renault are offering factory tours, the latter also auctioning the chance to train with the Renault Sport Academy, while Pirelli has donated a Paddock Club Experience.

The auction kicks off today and will run until February 9.

All proceeds will be split between Red Cross Australia, the Country Fire Authority Victoria, the Foundation for Rural and Regional Renewal and the WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.

More than 10 million hectares have been burnt, more than 2000 houses destroyed and 29 people killed during a tragic fire season that started back in October.

Lewis Hamilton has already made a remarkable contribution to the recovery, pledging $500,000 to WIRES (NSW Wildlife Information, Rescue and Education Service Inc.) and the WWF Australian Wildlife and Nature Recovery Fund.

You can bid on the auction here: https://www.f1authentics.com.