Ross Brawn fishing trip headlines Formula 1’s incredible charity auction

Formula 1 fans have been given the opportunity to bid on incredible experiences ahead of the 2026 championship, including a Ross Brawn fishing trip as well as a private factory tour with Red Bull, with all proceeds going to the Grand Prix Trust charity. 

Other auction highlights include a trip for two to an F1 race weekend with McLaren, an F1 race weekend for two with Cadillac plus F1 race day experiences with Williams and Racing Bulls.

Martin Brundle, Sky Sports F1 commentator and chairman of the charity, posted to social media, announcing the auction, urging fans to "get into the inner sanctum of F1". 

"Bid for F1 memorabilia including a signed Lando helmet, fish with Ross Brawn, and so much more in this charity auction. Something for everyone," he wrote.

The auction is currently live on the Emma Live platform, offering a range of memorabilia and experiences to the most passionate of fans.

Leading with a current bid of £14,500 at the time of writing is a race weekend with McLaren for two. The winning bidder will be hosted by the Woking-based team at either the Barcelona, Austria, Baku or Qatar race weekend, and will be treated to a guided tour of the garage. 

Brawn, who helped lead Jenson Button to his championship win in 2009 with the Brawn GP team and is a keen angler, will not be joining the winning bidder on the River Itchen near Winchester to fish. Instead, the famed former technical director will meet them for a chef-prepared lunch and some healthy conversation later in the day. 

For an avid F1 fan, this is the perfect time to pick the brain of one of the greatest technical figures to work in the championship. 

Lando Norris, McLaren, Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing

Photo by: Andrej Isakovic / AFP via Getty Images

There is also plenty for collectors, with a signed helmet from McLaren's 2025 champion Lando Norris being offered alongside one of Fernando Alonso's Aston Martin race suits and a signed cap from seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton - just a few of several items up for grabs. 

The Grand Prix Trust has been supporting F1 staff for nearly four decades since it was started by Sir Jackie Stewart in the 1980s, with it offering help to those who have fallen on hard times through illness, injury or other forms of financial hardship. 

"I've tried to reinvent, if you like, Grand Prix Trust for the modern day, for a modern industry," Brundle said during a talk on the subject. "I've got a great board of people, Ross Brawn's on it, Sir Patrick Head, Bernie Collins just joined, Andy Stevenson. And people from different skillsets: Jonathan Wheatley is a trustee as well."

The silent auction is open now and taking bids online. It closes on 21 January at the Autosport Awards.