The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix, scheduled to take place at Imola, faced cancellation merely two days before the anticipated race weekend.
Nevertheless, the four coveted podium trophies and the prestigious Pirelli pole position award from the abandoned event managed to fetch an impressive sum of over £245,000 at a recent auction.
The cancellation was prompted by severe flooding that engulfed the Italian region in May, compelling organizers to prioritize safety concerns.
The entirety of the funds collected through the auction will be donated to the Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection in the affected Emilia-Romagna region, aiming to provide much-needed support to the impacted communities.
Moreover, the auctioned items hold an additional allure as they were autographed by every Formula 1 driver on the 2023 grid.
Among the items available for bidding through the F1 Authentics platform was the official sparkling wine bottle produced by Ferrari Trento, although it is important to note that the company bears no affiliation with the Italian Formula 1 team.
Expressing his gratitude, Mario Isola, Pirelli motorsport director, acknowledged the remarkable generosity exhibited by the F1 community. He further emphasized the enduring burden the flooding has imposed on the northern Italian population, stating that its repercussions will be felt for a considerable period.
Notably, both Formula 1 and Ferrari previously contributed 1 million euros (£870,000) to aid the flood relief operation following the torrential rainfall that lasted 36 hours, claiming the lives of nine individuals.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about auction
What was the reason behind the cancellation of the Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix?
The Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix was canceled due to major flooding in the Italian region, which posed significant safety concerns for the event.
How much money was raised through the auction of the trophies?
The auction of the trophies from the canceled Emilia-Romagna Grand Prix raised over £245,000.
Where will the proceeds from the auction be donated?
All the funds raised through the auction will be donated to the region’s Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection to provide support to the communities affected by the flooding.
Were the trophies and awards autographed by the Formula 1 drivers?
Yes, all the trophies and the Pirelli pole position award from the canceled Grand Prix were autographed by all the Formula 1 drivers on the 2023 grid, adding to their value.
What other contributions were made towards flood relief in the region?
Formula 1 and Ferrari both donated 1 million euros (£870,000) to aid the flood relief operation, recognizing the severity of the situation caused by the heavy rainfall.
More about auction
- BBC Sport: Emilia-Romagna GP trophies raise £245k at auction
- F1 Authentics: Official Auction Platform
- Agency for Territorial Safety and Civil Protection (Italian)
- Formula 1 Official Website
- Ferrari Official Website
