LONDON, December 4, 2012 (AFP) – A signed race suit worn by newly crowned Formula One world champion Sebastian Vettel was sold for £11,000 ($17,740, 13,560 euros) at a charity auction, organisers announced on Tuesday.
The suit was part of a collection of Formula One memorabilia sold at Bonhams auctions house in London that raised £39,000 for the Wings for Life charity, which funds research into spinal cord injuries.
A signed suit worn by this season’s world championship runner-up, Spain’s Fernando Alonso, went for £6,000.
Suits belonging to recently retired German great Michael Schumacher and British former champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were also sold, while other lots included signed race gloves and photographic prints.
“It’s been one of the most competitive seasons for Formula One drivers,” said Vettel.
“I’m really proud to have won the Championship with the team and it’s great that these suits have raised so much money for such a fantastic charity.”
Vettel, 25, became the youngest driver to win three world titles last month after a sixth-place finish at the Brazilian Grand Prix gave the German a third consecutive success with Red Bull.
