Aditya ChaudhuriAmerican Formula One team Haas has announced a new charity partnership with Starlight Children’s Foundation, USA. The partnership will see Haas provide support and respite to the families and children who are extremely ill.
Haas will work on various initiatives to support Starlight’s mission and, during the races in the US, Haas drivers and other team members will visit the children’s hospital. During highlight races, the team will also host exclusive programmes for the children and families to visit the race venue. The children will also have access to live Q&A sessions and staff sessions throughout the year. Haas aims to grow the partnership throughout the country and collaborate with other hospitals across other US states as well.
The partnership kicked off with Haas team principal Guenther Steiner and reserve driver Pietro Fittipaldi visiting the Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital, which is close to Haas’ base in Charlotte, North Carolina. Steiner and Fittipaldi interacted with children who are receiving treatment at the hospital.
Guenther Steiner, Team Principal of Haas F1 Team, said:
“Haas F1 Team has a platform to raise awareness and highlight the incredible work of those that rely on the support of others to operate, and I feel we have a duty to do more, I’m really proud of our partnership with Starlight and am excited about how we can help them achieve their goals across multiple areas of the charity – together, we’re committed to creating positive experiences for seriously ill children.“
Pietro Fittipaldi, Official Reserve driver of Haas F1 Team, added:
“It was truly an honour to meet the children and families at Levine Children’s Hospital. I can only imagine how traumatic it is for a child to have to go into hospital, away from their home comforts, and after only a small amount of time playing with the kids, it’s clear that any distraction is welcomed to take their minds away from treatment. Thanks to Guenther for inviting me along to the first event of this collaboration – it’s a day that will stay with me for a very long time.“
Adam Garone, CEO, Starlight Children Foundation, stated:
“We are absolutely delighted and honoured to be partnering with Haas F1 Team to bring the thrill and excitement of racing to sick kids at each of the U.S. races and to help us expand our program distribution to children’s hospitals across the country.“
