F1 to sell chequered flag squares for charity

Formula 1 has announced it will sell squares on the race-ending chequered flag to fans throughout the 2020 season as a way to raise money for charity.

The fund-raising charity scheme been launched in support of the #WeRaceAsOne initiative F1 launched earlier this week, which is striving to tackle inequality in motorsport and the financial challenges posed by the COVID-19 crisis.

56 of the squares on the chequered flag at each race will be made available for fans to buy, while the other 24 squares will be allocated to the promoter of each grand prix to give to their own fans and guests.

Fans can now buy squares on the chequered flag for the season-opening Austrian Grand Prix on July 5 for £199.99.

In total, over £11,000 is expected to be raised per race. F1 has already confirmed the opening eight events of the revised 2020 season and is working to finalise the remainder of the calendar.

Fans will have their names printed in the square they buy, but they will not be able to select which specific square they have.

After the races, fans will receive their square framed and mounted. A picture of the chequered flag and a hologram to guarantee authenticity will also be included.

The charity drive will continue for the entire season and squares will be going up for sale between two and three weeks before each race.

All squares can be purchased via the F1 Authentics website. 

Ferrari was the first team to use the #WeRaceAsOne hashtag on its car as it completed a private test run at Mugello with Sebastian Vettel and Charles Leclerc on Tuesday.