Monaco’s very own Charles Leclerc has raised 429,600 euros for those affected by the recent floods in the Emilia Romagna region of Italy, through a thoroughly successful RM Sotheby’s auction featuring the Scuderia Ferrari driver’s entire specially-designed and race-worn race kit of the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix.
The auction was comprised of four lots including Leclerc’s boots, gloves, race suit and helmet, all of which were signed and offered directly from the Monegasque driver himself. The undeniable highlight of the collection was the Bell HP77 crash helmet that was sold to the highest bidder for 306,000 euros.
This particular helmet was designed by Leclerc specifically for the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix and was inspired by that worn by his father, Herve Leclerc, who became the first in the family to race competitively in the streets of the Principality.
The race suit was the second most expensive lot, having reached 61,200 euros, and the gloves weren’t cheap either at 42,000 euros. Meanwhile the race boots seemed to be a bargain in comparison, selling for 20,400 euros under the virtual hammer.
“The funds raised from the four items will be directly donated to the Municipality of Imola for all of the most affected territories and cities which have been devastated by the floods that struck a vast area of the Emilia-Romagna region in Italy,” read the auctioneer’s website. The region is home to Ferrari’s famous Maranello factory and the Imola circuit, also known as the Autodromo Internazionale Enzo e Dino Ferrari.
Flooding began in May 2023 and an estimated 20,000 people were displaced in the worst flooding to affect Italy in 100 years. With this in mind, there will be a special focus on allocating funds to families with children who have unfortunately lost their homes.
