After Verstappen's title, Formula E pledges to donate $250 to charities

What was a somewhat ridiculous bet turned into a very nice action. Last February, Jeff Dodds, director of the Formula E, had claimed that if Max Verstappen did not win the title in Formula 1 In 2024, he would commit to donating $250 to charity. A way of criticizing the lack of suspense in the premier category – we had just come out of a total domination of Red Bull and the Dutchman in 2023 – and to “promote” his discipline, where the title was decided in the last race of Season 10.

If Max Verstappen was indeed crowned world champion in 2024, it was at the end of a much more competitive season than expected. This season, seven drivers won at least two Grands Prix, a first in the history of Formula 1, while the Dutchman was jostled by the drivers McLaren, Ferrari et Mercedes. After this intense and exciting season, and despite his successful bet, Jeff Dodds finally decided to make this donation of $250. The FE boss spoke with Max Verstappen during a video call to determine which association this sum would go to.

A $250,000 donation to two very worthy causes: supporting our women in motorsport fund via @Morethan_Equaland @redbullmotors Wings for Life 🤝

— Formula E (@FIAFormulaE) December 12, 2024

The two men have decided to split the donation between two charities: Jeff Dodds will donate $125 to a new fund to support initiatives aimed at providing better opportunities for women in motorsport. The first initiative under the new fund will be a strategic research partnership with More Than Equal Association. Max Verstappen has chosen the association 'Wings for Life", a non-profit foundation created by Red Bull for spinal cord research.

“What started as a fun ‘gamble’ at the start of the season has turned into a serious commitment to supporting gender equality within our championship, with the ultimate goal of seeing women competing full-time in Formula E, said Jeff Dodds. As a first step, the research we have commissioned in partnership with More Than Equal will help us better understand the barriers women currently face, and how Formula E and our teams can deliver greater parity, opportunity and inclusion at the highest level of our championship.”

“I also thank Max and Red Bull for committing half of my initial bet money to 'Wings For Life' to support the important work they do in spinal cord research. Congratulations to Max on his fourth consecutive World Drivers' Championship and we look forward to an even more competitive championship next season.”

“The charity I feel closest to is Wings For Life and I’m sure they’ll be very grateful: it’s amazing to support any kind of motorsport and young talent, so a big thumbs up from you, replied Max Verstappen. Thank you very much Jeff, I wish you the best, of course, and I will follow the championship in my free time! »

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