Formula 1 race legend Sir Jackie Stewart will be taking to the track at Bahrain International Circuit (BIC) today as part of race day for the Formula 1 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix to support fundraising efforts for his charity Race Against Dementia.
The three-time world champion will drive his 1973 Tyrell world championship car for a lap around the circuit at 3.40pm this afternoon, in honour of the 60th anniversary of his F1 debut.
During his lap, which will also celebrate 75 years of Formula 1 , Sir Jackie will also be wearing a one-of-a-kind World Champions’ helmet, featuring the signatures of all 20 living Formula 1 world champions.
“Today, we race not just for the past, but for the future,” Race Against Dementia chair and Sir Jackie’s son Mark explained.
“With the support of the F1 community, we’re driving forward progress in finding a cure for dementia.”
This follows last weekend’s “One Lap Challenge” organised by the British Embassy in Bahrain and held at BIC, where more than 1,500 people walked, ran and scooted a lap of the Bahrain track, raising more than $50,000 (BD18,827) for the charity.
The cheque for the donation will be handed over ahead of the lap by the British Ambassador Alastair Long and BIC chief executive Shaikh Salman bin Isa Al Khalifa.
“Sir Jackie Stewart is a legend of our sport and an extraordinary Ambassador for F1,” Formula 1 president and chief executive Stefano Domenicali said.
“With his passion he is becoming a leader in the fight against dementia through his charity Race Against Dementia. We are deeply proud to see him back behind the steering wheel here in Bahrain to celebrate our 75th anniversary and raise awareness of such an important battle, which he carries forward with the energy and spirit that have always distinguished him.”
Sir Jackie founded Race Against Dementia in 2016, and its pioneering programmes, inspired by F1 teams and the speed and innovative approach they take, give researchers the tools, support and mindset to accelerate progress in dementia research.
“The FIA is proud to offer its full support to the Race Against Dementia campaign and we stand united with Sir Jackie in his mission to advance crucial progress in dementia research, treatment, and ultimately, a cure,” FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem added.
Donations to Race Against Dementia can be made at raceagainstdementia.com, which will help fund and support the brightest research minds to find preventative treatments and cures for dementia.
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