The annual Racing Stars Football Cup took place at Monaco’s Stade Louis II on Wednesday, 21 May, bringing together former and current Formula 1 drivers and celebrities for a charity football match ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix. Home hero Charles Leclerc kicked off the event, but didn’t take part in the game.
Two-time F1 champion Mika Hakkinen served as the ambassador. Commenting ahead of the event, the Finnish former driver explained:
“I was honoured and thrilled when Louis Ducruet and his team asked me to be part of this initiative, especially since the event will support two important causes. I strongly encourage everyone to come and be part of the celebration this year.”
Proceeds from the Racing Stars Football Cup, which has now been held for over three decades, will go to two different charities, both of which are linked to motorsport. First is the Jules Bianchi Association, which was established after the F1 driver’s tragic passing in 2015, and supports the Archet Hospital in Nice. Jules’ father, Philippe Bianchi, commented:
“This initiative touches me deeply, as it will bring together several F1 drivers just before the Monaco Grand Prix, which was so important for Jules.”
The second cause is Be Safe Monaco, founded by Camille Gottlieb, which aims to raise awareness around the dangers of drinking and driving. Gottlieb stated:
“Having personalities from the world of motorsport involved clearly helps amplify our message. Being part of such an event is a privilege and validates the relevance of our cause.”
Charles Leclerc, Ferrari
Photo by: Sam Bloxham / Motorsport Images via Getty Images
The match featured an impressive lineup of F1 drivers taking on the Barbagiuans – a team made up of football and other sporting legends. Alpine driver Pierre Gasly acted as captain of the F1 drivers’ team, with Williams’ Carlos Sainz, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, and rookie drivers Andrea Kimi Antonelli and Oliver Bearman joining him on the team.
