A new name looks set to join that of Michael Schumacher and every other living Formula 1 champion on a special piece of sporting memorabilia which is set to raise a huge amount of money for a life-changing good cause. It was revealed back in April that Schumacher, with the aid of his wife Corinna, had signed a race helmet once worn by fellow F1 legend Sir Jackie Stewart.
Schumacher has lived out of the public eye for more than a decade, since his December 2013 skiing accident in which he suffered life-changing injuries. Few details of his condition are known, with Corinna fiercely protective of her husband’s privacy given the huge media interest in the seven-time F1 champion.
But a small window into his life was provided when Sir Jackie, who is raising money for his charity Race for Dementia, revealed that Schumacher’s wife “helped him” to sign the helmet with his initials, ‘MS’, by holding his hand with the pen in it.
His signature is one of 20 that have been daubed onto the white racing helmet, meaning every living F1 World champion’s signature is present. And they are set to be joined by a 21st name in December with Max Verstappen now facing a very difficult task to overcome a 36-point deficit with just four rounds remaining.
Verstappen’s signature is already on the helmet as a four-time F1 champion and so it will remain untouched if the Red Bull racer does, somehow, complete an extraordinary comeback. Otherwise, either current championship leader Lando Norris or his team-mate Oscar Piastri will add a 21st and final name to those already on the helmet.
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The original helmet has become an item on show at the F1 Exhibition, which sets up shop in cities around the world for fans to see some priceless memorabilia first-hand. And it has now been confirmed that a replica version is part of the prize in a raffle which all F1 supporters can now enter.
By making donations of £10 and above, fans can bid to win the replica helmet for themselves, along with an all-expenses-paid trip to watch the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, where they will be personally presented with their prize by Sir Jackie. All proceeds from the raffle will go to his charity, which he set up after his beloved wife Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia.
Sir Jackie said: “Dementia is the greatest challenge of my life, far tougher than anything I faced on the track. Watching my wife Helen, my timekeeper and number one supporter, live with this illness has made me more determined than ever to fight for a cure. Dementia is a global crisis, and with the incredible generosity of fans, this prize draw gives us the opportunity to raise vital funds and accelerate the breakthroughs we urgently need.”
Fans have until 23.59 on November 22 to enter at: https://win.raceagainstdementia.com/entry