F1 auction for bushfire relief

● Formula One, whose 2020 season starts in Melbourne on March 15, has announced an auction to help areas most affected by the Australian bushfires.

The sport said in a statement late this week that drivers, teams, partners and the governing body were contributing exclusive items and experiences to be auctioned from this past Wednesday and running through to February 16.

Items included racing gloves and shoes used by Australian driver Daniel Ricciardo last season, his first with Renault, as well as race suits worn by Red Bull’s Max Verstappen and Alex Albon in 2019.

Teams have offered factory visits and meet-and-greets in the Melbourne paddock with drivers and team principals including six-times world champion Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari boss Mattia Binotto.

“Australia has always been and will continue to be a special place for Formula One,” Formula One said in a statement.