Formula 1 driver Valtteri Bottas has raised £4,000 for the global men’s health charity Movember through a unique trading card auction. The one-of-a-kind collectible, which featured a piece of Bottas’ race suit and even strands of his iconic hair, was sold on the F1 Authentics platform, with all proceeds going to support Movember’s vital work.
The auction, which took place throughout November, attracted significant attention from F1 fans and collectors around the world. The card, curated by Topps and auctioned by Memento Exclusives, was a creative collaboration between Bottas and Movember, combining sports memorabilia with a personal touch from the driver. The inclusion of Bottas’ famous hair stemmed from a light-hearted moment on a podcast where the driver jokingly suggested that his mullet could become part of a fan product. The idea quickly gained traction, and Bottas decided to make it a reality for a good cause.
Movember’s 2024 campaign focuses on raising awareness and funds for men’s health issues, including mental health, prostate and testicular cancer, and suicide prevention. The £4,000 raised through the auction will go towards funding innovative research and support programmes aimed at addressing these pressing health challenges.
Speaking about the initiative, Bottas said: “Movember is a charity that is very close to my heart, and I’m pleased we were able to raise £4,000 for it. I want to thank everyone who bid for a piece of my mullet and supported this crucial cause in the name of men’s health. It’s great to see so many people contributing to such an important cause.”
Anne-Cécile Berthier, Movember’s UK and Europe Country Director, expressed her gratitude for Bottas’ support. “We are thrilled by Valtteri Bottas’ efforts championing Movember while using his iconic moustache to raise awareness and funds for Movember. This donation will help us continue our work to make strides in closing gaps in men’s health outcomes and ultimately help stop men from dying too young.”
Since its inception in 2003, Movember has funded over 1,300 projects globally, focusing on prevention, outreach, and support for men’s health. Bottas’ collaboration with Topps, Memento Exclusives, and other partners highlights how the motorsport community can unite to generate positive change. This unique auction not only brought fans closer to a piece of F1 history but also contributed to the ongoing efforts to improve men’s health outcomes around the world.
The funds raised will go towards Movember’s breakthrough research and programmes, which address some of the biggest health challenges facing men today, ultimately saving lives and improving wellbeing. For more information on upcoming auctions or to explore exclusive F1 memorabilia, visit www.F1Authentics.com or www.MementoExclusives.com.