A Formula 1 helmet featuring Mickey Mouse has sold for £151,000 at auction.
It is the highest publicly recorded sale of a non-worn F1 helmet, with proceeds going to Make-A-Wish International.
The “Fuel the Magic” helmet, built by Bell Racing, was signed by 20 current F1 drivers at the Pirelli British Grand Prix, including Pierre Gasly, who serves as a Make-A-Wish France ambassador.
The sale went through F1 Authentics, the sport’s official memorabilia auction platform operated by Memento Exclusives.
It surpasses the previous highest single charitable sale on the platform, a Verstappen race suit from the 2023 Canadian Grand Prix that raised £112,000, and the prior helmet record, Alex Albon’s race-used 2022 Singapore Grand Prix helmet at £84,000.
“We are very happy to have achieved these significant funds for Make-A-Wish,” said Barry Gough, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Memento Exclusives.
“We are delighted that this captured the imagination of bidders worldwide and that the winner has not only secured an iconic piece of memorabilia but has made a huge impact on an incredibly worthy cause.”
We are delighted that this captured the imagination of bidders worldwide and that the winner has not only secured an iconic piece of memorabilia but has made a huge impact on an incredibly worthy cause.
Barry Gough
The helmet’s design, a matte black base with red and yellow accents and Mickey Mouse artwork, was created by Bret Iwan, the official voice of Mickey Mouse, with creative direction from Bobby Kim, Global Creative Director at Disney Consumer Products.
A small Make-A-Wish star hidden behind Mickey’s shoe was worked into the design as a nod to the cause behind the sale.
A second version of the helmet will be on display at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim, California, from 14 to 16 August.
