Five of the FIA World Endurance Championship’s ‘Class of 2026’ have paid a visit to the Imola Committee of the Italian Red Cross, taking time out of their busy on-track preparations to engage with a vital off-track cause.
During the forthcoming 6 Hours of Imola (17-19 April) – the season’s eagerly-anticipated curtain-raising contest – FIA WEC and the Italian Red Cross will come together around the shared objective of supporting communities in need.
Throughout the race weekend, a dedicated digital fundraising drive will give fans and stakeholders the opportunity to contribute directly to the Italian Red Cross’ mission, turning the collective energy of the event into real-world assistance.
Ahead of the competitive action, home heroes Alessio Rovera (VISTA AF Corse) and Matteo Cressoni (Iron Lynx), two-time IMSA title-winner ‘Pipo’ Derani (Genesis Magma Racing) and Alpine Endurance Team duo Ferdinand Habsburg and Victor Martins took the campaign beyond the confines of the circuit by dropping into the local branch of the leading international organisation.
There, the drivers helped regular Italian Red Cross volunteers to pack food and clothing parcels for people in the Emilia-Romagna region – adding in race weekend tickets and team merchandise – as they gained an insight into the daily reality of humanitarian work and a direct understanding of the positive impact of the charity’s efforts on both a national and global scale.
“There’s something very beautiful about leaving our closed environment – our little world of racing – and seeing so many happy people doing wonderful things for other people,” commented Habsburg.
“Here, we’re very focused on ourselves and on achieving maximum performance – that’s our world and it’s awesome and fun – but it’s always refreshing to look at faces that are feeling a lot of happiness in life about doing something good for other people.”
“It was nice to see what the Italian Red Cross does and understand that helping people is not just a simple gesture – it requires a lot of commitment from a very big task force,” added Derani. “There are so many people in need of help in many different areas – people who really need the work the Red Cross does.
“It’s easy to take things for granted in life, and to see the effort the Red Cross makes to help local communities was a very humbling experience. It gives us a bit more appreciation for what we have and what they do.”
By connecting its widespread reach with essential action, FIA WEC is aiming to play a small but meaningful role in shining a spotlight on those who act every day, and assisting their endeavours in tangible fashion.
“At FIA WEC, we believe our platform can go beyond racing,” stated the championship’s Communication and Marketing Director, Marius Louvet. “This partnership with the Italian Red Cross is about supporting action on the ground, and giving visibility to those who make a genuine difference on a daily basis – in a simple and humble way.”
“Through initiatives like this, we can help people understand how important it is to provide concrete support to those living in difficult conditions”, echoed Rosario Valastro, President of the Italian Red Cross.
“Being present at such an important international event makes this message even stronger. I would like to thank FIA WEC, the Imola circuit and the drivers who, with their humanity, have shown a great sensitivity towards our volunteers and, above all, towards those who are suffering.”
Donations to the Italian Red Cross can be made here.
