Make-A-Wish International and F1 Authentics launch special ...

Make-A-Wish International – a charity supported by F1 – and F1 Authentics are celebrating their collaboration with Formula 1 by launching a special memorabilia auction to raise funds which will help grant more wishes for children with critical illnesses.

Items going up for auction include an exclusive money-can’t-buy Ferrari factory tour (more on which below), a signed Carlos Sainz Ferrari race visor and a limited edition two-time world champion Mika Hakkinen signed acrylic print.

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Other prizes include a bottle of Ferrari Trento Las Vegas Edition, a stay at Conrad Abu Dhabi Etihad Towers, signed racing gloves by F1 Safety Car driver Bernd Maylander, a Michael Schumacher replica 1:2 race helmet and more.

The auction – which will launch as F1 returns to action at the United States Grand Prix on October 18 – supports Make-A-Wish’s mission to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses.

These once-in-a-lifetime experiences include meeting an F1 driver, attending a Grand Prix or sitting in a race car. With the help of the racing community, F1 and Pole Position Reports, Make-A-Wish was able to grant 52 incredible F1 wish experiences in 2023, targeting to achieve the same in 2024.

In terms of some of the items available in the auction, the Scuderia Ferrari Factory Tour is an exclusive and invaluable experience, usually reserved only for Ferrari clients and partners. It’s a rare opportunity to discover up close all the specialist skill, passion and innovative technology that goes into making a Ferrari.

Make-A-Wish’s mission is to create life-changing wishes for children with critical illnesses, with some getting the opportunity to meet McLaren driver Oscar Piastri

The tour puts you right at the heart of Ferrari’s dynamic modern working environment, where people and their wellbeing are at the centre of everything the company does.

From the historic factory gates, where the first Ferrari emerged in 1947, you will visit all the main buildings on the campus. Each features striking architecture by world renowned architects. You’ll also have access to the Ferrari Museum to learn more about the Ferrari story, and see priceless sports cars and racing models from past to present.

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The unique memorabilia items available in this auction have been collected throughout the season by F1 journalist Inga Stracke and her team at Pole Position Reports, with Stracke commenting: “Entering the exciting final stages of the season with a fundraiser in support of Make A-Wish is the best way!

“I look forward to welcoming wish children in Austin and Abu Dhabi like we have done already at other race tracks this year, helping to grant their wishes. Please join us by bidding in this auction to help children living with critical illnesses!”

Luciano Manzo, President and CEO of Make-A-Wish International, said: ”We thank Stefano Domenicali and everyone in Formula 1 for helping us make wishes come true and bringing joy to countless children.

“Make-A-Wish and Formula 1 are committed to this collaboration, and last year we saw a new record of F1 wishes granted, giving wish children the opportunity to be inspired and get closer to the incredible world of Formula 1.

A number of items are available to be bid on in the auction, including this Max Verstappen signed 2023 collage photo

“The profound impact of our mission on children with critical illnesses and their families drives us forward, and the unwavering support from F1 is both heartwarming and inspiring.”

Barry Gough, CEO and Founder of Memento Exclusives and F1 Authentics, added: “We are pleased to help Make-A-Wish International with an exclusive auction on our F1 Authentics site, featuring some rare and special items we know our customers will get excited about.

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“Our first joint auction in December 2023 proved to be very successful, something we can all be proud of. We love working with charities and Make-A-Wish is such an incredibly worthy cause – helping fulfil wishes of critically ill children.

“Our auction will not only be supporting the charity’s fantastic work – with proceeds of each item being donated – but will be raising awareness for their cause as well, whilst of course giving F1 fans the chance to own some really special items.”

Visit the F1 Authentics website here to view or bid on the auction.