Racing Lines: The Formula 1 charity you probably haven’t heard of Car News

Formula 1 is a brutally competitive and unforgiving world that, on the surface, revels in its gauche glamor and multimillion-dollar vulgarities.

But for all the fake marinas and failed celebrity walks, it’s backed by a surprisingly strong community spirit. The people of F1 strive to look after their own, as shown by the Grand Prix Trust, a long-established charity working hard behind the scenes to help those who have fallen on hard times.

“It’s easy to think ‘F1 is flooded with money, how can anyone be short? “, Chairman Martin Brundle said at the recent Grand Prix Trust luncheon held at Silverstone, usually every year but because of Covid for the first time in three years. “But, of course, F1 is 72 and over 150 teams ceased operations or changed names during this period. There was no pension fund in the past, no health policy, no human resources department. As people age, there is a great need for what we do.

It was impossible not to be moved when old friends and colleagues reunited after so long apart, with big smiles, warm handshakes and hugs. More than 200 Trust members seized the opportunity to be reunited as a cast of former F1 heroes also showed up in solidarity with the people who made them look good. Forget the faux plastic sheen of the Miami GP: it was the true face of F1, a sport built on heartwarming camaraderie and hard graft all for one.

More than money

The Grand Prix Mechanics’ Trust was established by Sir Jackie Stewart 35 years ago to directly recognize the vital contribution of those on whom racing drivers rely so heavily. Now under Brundle’s management, the dossier has been expanded to include everyone who has worked and continues to work in F1, hence the name change.

Led by Client Coordinator Sally Oliver and Arlene Bansal, the Trust offers financial support from seemingly healthy coffers that have been bolstered by wise investments over the years (the obvious influence of Stewart). But its functions extend well beyond monetary assistance.

“One of the big things we do is social interaction, like we do today,” Brundle said. “We have regional meetings with up to 50 people coming to these, and our Zoom meetings that have been held during the pandemic have been a lifesaver.

“We now have over 2000 members and we want to help more people. We need to do a lot more. I feel like we are only scratching the surface, and it is events like this that help spread the gospel.

famous faces

For those familiar with the inner workings of F1, the hall at Silverstone was filled with some of the biggest (largely unheralded) contributors in Grand Prix history.

At 97, BRM mechanic Dick Salmon looked in fine form, as did photographer and journalist Michael Tee, who attended the first-ever British Grand Prix at Silverstone (pre-world championship), held in October 1948. It was great to see the Jim Clarkera Lotus mechanics. Bob Dance and Dave ‘Beaky’ Sims mingling with friends, while the pilots for once played supporting roles: Damon Hill, Mark Webber, Jonathan Palmer, Julian Bailey, Mark Blundell, David Brabham and his brother-in-law Mike Thackwell, once the youngest driver to start a grand prix and rarely seen at motorsport events these days.

Howden Ganley, one of the few F1 drivers to start out as a mechanic, covered both bases while famed unskilled Perry McCarthy pulled off a great stand-up routine to keep us laughing between lessons.

But as Brundle was keen to point out, the Trust is not just about the past.

“We are helping the F1 industry of yesterday and today, and now we want to be part of tomorrow,” he said. “We are currently considering a new initiative with the help of [F1’s chief technical officer] Pat Symonds with some fellowships, apprenticeships and fellowships. This will close the circle of what we do.

The Trust remains somewhat under the radar, largely because of the sensitive nature of its work to help those who have fallen on hard times. Raising additional funds, while always useful, is not necessarily its primary focus at this time. A higher priority is the realization that he is there for those who need him.

Brundle admitted that even during the pandemic, members remained reluctant to ask for help. But there’s no shame in helping charity, even for the proud men and women who are the backbone of a sport that still exists today in a harsh real world beyond the extravagance of its privileged image. Difficult times can happen to all of us.

Vettel’s star turn

There is no other F1 driver like Sebastian Vettel, and it’s probably fair to say there never has been. This was proven by the four-time champion’s remarkably assured appearance on the BBC’s political talk show Question Time.

Vettel is German, but he was somehow quite comfortable chatting in a second-language complex…