Race Against Dementia founder and three-time Formula 1 World Champion, Sir Jackie Stewart, took to the cockpit again on Sunday 13 April to race a tribute lap at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
Racing for a cure
Sir Jackie – wearing his signature Royal Stewart tartan-crowned helmet – was reunited with his 1973 championship winning car, the legendary Tyrrell 006, in which he took five Grand Prix victories and eight podiums to become champions of the world.
But this lap, some 50 years later and on the 60th anniversary of Sir Jackie’s F1 debut, was not about chasing titles. Instead Sir Jackie races now to find a cure for dementia, fast, and to raise awareness of the charity he founded in 2016 after his wife’s frontotemporal dementia diagnosis.
A unique F1 helmet
Sir Jackie wore a one-of-a-kind helmet signed by all 20 living F1 World Champions – including seven-time title winners Sir Lewis Hamilton and Michael Schumacher – united in support of Race Against Dementia.
This unique piece of memorabilia unites generations of racing greats. And we need you to join these legends of motorsport and help us to find a cure for dementia, faster. A donation of just £30 could fund the preparation of a blood sample to develop new blood tests that could one day diagnose dementia, sooner.
Every penny raised supports Race Against Dementia’s pioneering team of researchers – a team of brilliant minds working together to uncover new dementia treatments and ultimately, a cure.
Powerful partnerships
Race Against Dementia, like a Formula 1 team, relies on collaboration, coordination and innovation – and are deeply grateful to our network of global partners and supporters who power our work today.
“The FIA is proud to offer its full support to the Race Against Dementia campaign and we stand united with Sir Jackie in his mission to advance crucial progress in dementia research, treatment, and ultimately, a cure.”
Mark Stewart, Chair of Race Against Dementia, said: “Today, we race not just for the past, but for the future. With the support of the F1 community, we’re driving forward progress in finding a cure for dementia.”
Stefano Domenicali, President & CEO of Formula 1, said: “Sir Jackie Stewart is a legend of our sport and an extraordinary Ambassador for Formula 1. With his passion he is becoming a leader in the fight against dementia through his charity Race Against Dementia. We are deeply proud to see him back behind the steering wheel here in Bahrain to celebrate our 75th anniversary and raise awareness of such an important battle, which he carries forward with the energy and spirit that have always distinguished him.”
Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the FIA, said: “I commend Sir Jackie Stewart for his ongoing inspirational work raising awareness of dementia through the Race Against Dementia charity he founded. As an icon of our sport, his tribute lap in Bahrain serves as a powerful reminder of the positive impact that motorsport can have beyond the race track.
“The FIA is proud to offer its full support to the Race Against Dementia campaign and we stand united with Sir Jackie in his mission to advance crucial progress in dementia research, treatment, and ultimately, a cure.”
Paul Fowler, Vice President of DHL Motorsport, a partner of Race Against Dementia and Official Logistics Partner of Formula 1, said: “It’s been a true privilege to support Race Against Dementia—not just by moving a legendary piece of racing history, Sir Jackie Stewart’s 1973 World Championship-winning car, to Bahrain, but also by helping to bring the one-of-a-kind World Driver’s helmet to life – another example of connecting people, improving lives.”
Images courtesy of Bell Racing and Matt Wardle
