F1 News
Formula E boss reveals $250,000 charity bet on Max Verstappen
Jeff Dodds, CEO of Formula E, was confident that Max Verstappen would be the Formula 1 champion in 2024. In fact, he even wagered that if a driver could beat the Dutchman to the title in 2024 he would donate $250,000 to said driver's charity of choice. While Lando Norris briefly seemed to be in contention for the championship, Verstappen eventually came out on top. However, in conversation with Verstappen himself, Dodds disclosed what he intended to do with said wager's money.
The Formula E CEO has decided to donate $250,000 to charity. Half of the money will go to More Than Equal, an independent, non-profit organisation founded with the core goals of research, data-driven insights, talent identification and driver development of female drivers. The other $125,000 will go to a charity chosen by Max Verstappen, Wings For Life which Red Bull Racing is a partner of.
Verstappen and Formula E sharing the donation
During an online conversation, Verstappen and Dodds spoke to each other about what causes the money should go to. "I had this bet at the start of the year, I was so confident that you were going to win the championship that I said if anybody beat you, I’d give a quarter of a million to them for a charity of their choice. But I thought we should do something good with that money so if you’re up for it, I think maybe we split it and you give half of that quarter of a million to a charity or a foundation that you care deeply about and I’ll do the same. How does that sound?" said Dodds.
To that, Verstappen responded, "I think what is closest to me is Wings For Life. I think that would be a good shout."
Dodds continued, "Absolutely, so we’ll get a cheque over to Wings For Life on your behalf from us so that they can do some good with that. I think I’m going to use our half, we’re doing a partnership with More Than Equal to help us find ways to give great women drivers more time in our cars so they can go on to be professional racing drivers. I know with your mum and your sister both racing, I know that’s something you care about as well."
Verstappen responded thankfully, "Yeah, that’s amazing. I’m sure Wings For Life will be very grateful for that. To support any kind of motorsport and young talent is amazing so that, I think, is definitely a great shout for you. So thank you very much."
This article was written in collaboration with Ludo van Denderen.
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