At the Autosport Awards ceremony, to be held on January 21, 2026, Formula 1 is lending its prestige to a vital cause. Until then, fans can bid on unique experiences, from a meeting with Ross Brawn to an immersion at McLaren, as part of the Grand Prix Trust charity auction.
Formula 1: Privileged access to the heart of the paddock
Among the most noteworthy prizes this year, one rather unexpected experience stood out: an exclusive meeting with Ross Brawn, a major figure in engineering Formula 1A passionate fisherman, the former boss of Brawn GP was world champion in 2009 with Jenson Button offers bidders much more than just an activity. While he won't be directly sharing a fishing trip on the River Itchen, near Winchester, Brown will invite the lucky winner to a lunch prepared by a chef, followed by an informal exchange rich in anecdotes and knowledge.
A rare, almost timeless moment with one of the most respected minds in modern history. Formula 1The sale, organized via the platform Emma LiveIt also offers an exceptional immersion into the world of racing stables. The highest bid at the time of writing, at £14,500, offers a Grand Prix weekend with McLaren for two people. The program includes: VIP welcome, guided tour of the Woking workshops and attendance at one of the Grand Prix events in Barcelona, Austria, Baku or Qatar.
Other experiences allow fans to " enter the sanctuary of Formula 1 ", in the words of Martin Brundle, president of the Grand Prix Trust, who personally shared the event on social media.
Collectors are not left out. A helmet signed by Lando Norris, world champion 2025 with McLarena racing suit Aston Martin de Fernando Alonso, or even a cap signed by Lewis HamiltonAmong the many items up for auction are those belonging to the seven-time world champion.
But beyond their symbolic or historical value, these pieces take on a special dimension here.
Founded in the 1980s by Sir Jackie StewartThe Grand Prix Trust has been supporting women and men of the Formula 1 facing illness, injury, or financial difficulties. Help that is often discreet, but essential.
"I tried to reinvent the Grand Prix Trust to adapt it to our time and the current industry," he explains Martin Brundle. " We have a board of directors composed of exceptional individuals: Ross Brawn, Sir Patrick Head, Bernie Collins, Andy Stevenson… Jonathan Wheatley It is also part of it.
In a world where the Formula 1 Often associated with luxury and excess, this initiative serves as a reminder of a simple truth: behind the single-seaters and the spotlights, there are human beings. And sometimes, the greatest victory isn't won on the track.
Get into the inner sanctum of F1, bid for F1 memorabilia including a signed Lando helmet, fish with Ross Brawn, and so much more in this charity auction. Something for everyone.
— Martin Brundle OBE (@MBrundleF1) January 18, 2026
