Formula 1®, the world’s premier motorsport series, and Make-A-Wish®, the global children’s charity, have strengthened their alliance coming together to create extraordinary moments and fulfill life-changing wishes for children living with critical illnesses. This collaboration marks a new chapter in their shared commitment to making wishes come true for courageous young individuals around the globe.
Formula 1® will open its doors to eligible wish children and their families, granting them exclusive access to the heart of the action during prestigious Grand Prix™ events throughout the season. These exceptional behind-the-scenes experiences will allow them to witness the adrenaline-pumping races and create cherished memories.
Meeting a Formula 1® driver, having a Grand Prix experience, sitting in a race car… the wishes that Make-A-Wish receives are as unique as the children themselves.
Hosam had a deep desire to meet his idol, Lewis Hamilton, and aspired to pursue a career as a race car driver. In 2018, he not only met with his favorite driver, but also received from an incredibly generous bidder a unique item at a Formula 1®-themed fundraiser for Make-A-Wish — an original race suit worn by FIA safety car driver Bernd Mayländer, adorned with the signatures of Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg. This extraordinary gift, and his wish granted to meet his idol, ignited a flame within Hosam, propelling him to accomplish remarkable feats. Today, he has not only completed his education and enrolled in university but has also become an enthusiastic part-time racing driver, achieving remarkable podium finishes in his native country of Jordan.
Research has consistently shown that granting a wish can have a profound impact on the emotional and physical well-being of children facing critical illnesses. Wishes provide a source of hope, strength, and resilience during challenging times for the wish children and their families. It has a transformative power on their lives, as Hosam said after his wish was granted – “the wish journey, from start to finish, changed my life forever.”
For over four decades, Make-A-Wish has granted more than 550,000 wishes, including an astounding 28,000 wishes in 2022 alone. While Formula 1® has a long-standing history of fulfilling wishes from passionate fans worldwide, being a supported charity of F1(r) ® will exponentially increase Make-A-Wish’s ability to make dreams a reality, particularly within the realm of motorsport. Furthermore, the collaboration will showcase these transformative stories and once-in-a-lifetime moments through captivating and inspiring stories.
Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1®, expressed his excitement about being able to make even more wish children’s dreams come true, stating, “Formula 1 is honored to support Make-A-Wish in their noble mission of granting life-changing wishes to children and their families during their most challenging moments. We have long admired the incredible work they do, and I have personally witnessed the profound
impact they have on young lives. We are thrilled to contribute to making many more
wishes come true.”
Luciano Manzo, President & CEO of Make-A-Wish International, shared his enthusiasm, saying, “This transformational collaboration with Formula 1 is a great honor for us and strengthens our global alliance. Together, we have the power to unite the world of racing with the driving force of wishes, amplifying the positive impact we have on the lives of children with critical illnesses and their families worldwide. We eagerly anticipate
deepening our ongoing collaboration with everyone at Formula 1.”
The commitment between Formula 1® and Make-A-Wish represents a powerful alliance that will ignite countless smiles, joy, and inspiration in the lives of children facing critical illnesses. With the global reach of Formula 1® and the unwavering dedication of MakeA-Wish, this collaboration will create a world where every child’s wish holds the power to become a reality.
Jessica Curran is Digital Marketing Manager at Make-A-Wish International, having joined the organisation in 2020 after 2.5 years at Make-A-Wish Ireland. Jessica is responsible for planning and executing social media content across all major platforms. Additionally, she oversees Make-A-Wish International’s external website, ensuring its effectiveness and alignment with our mission.