F1 News, Reports and Race Results

Albon F1 helmet auction racks up £84k for charity

Alex Albon suffered a wretched time in last October's Singapore Grand Prix, but two months on from his unlucky race at Marina Bay the helmet used by the Williams charger at the event has generated a nice windfall for an orphanage in Thailand.

Back in March of this year, Albon visited the Wat Sa Kaeo Temple orphanage near Bangkok, an institution supported by the Iceman Charity, an association run by Volker Capito, the brother of Williams Racing boss Jost Capito.

In Singapore, Albon sported a lively light blue lid that featured drawings and cartoon-like characters created by children from the orphanage, with the helmet destined to be auctioned off through the Iceman Charity to help fund a sports hall for the orphanage.

Albon's lid has gone under the hammer, raising £84,075 for the Wat Sa Kaeo Temple orphanage.

"When I visited the orphanage in Thailand earlier this year I was determined to help in any way I could," said the Williams charger.

"With 2022 being my first year back racing in Formula 1, I wanted to use my platform to do good and give back to the Thai community. I was amazed to see the quality and creativity from the children when they started designing my Singapore helmet, and the results were super impressive.

"I wasn’t going to let my health scare in Monza stop me from racing that helmet in Singapore and I’m totally overwhelmed by how much money we have raised to help improve the facilities at the orphanage.

"I want to say a huge thank you to my fans that have donated and especially the very generous bidder that won my helmet."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.