Avenue Vine

Chaired by Michael Schumacher, the Fund’s management committee is made up of Max Mosley, FIA President; Nick Craw, President of the Automobile Competition Committee for the United States; Jean Todt, Member of the Board, Ferrari SpA and Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motor sport.

Working in close collaboration with the FIA Institute the program of fund activities will roll out later this year and will include a young driver safety scholarship program, an officials skills safety training program and a facility safety improvement consultancy program.

“From the outset we had intended that any fine imposed on McLaren-Mercedes would be used for the benefit of the grass roots of motor sport. I’m delighted that this money will be invested in a safer future for our sport,” FIA President Mosley added.

“I’m pleased that the unfortunate events of last year have given rise to a worthy project that will benefit all aspects of motor racing,” said Ferrari’s Todt.

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Norbert Haug, Vice President, Mercedes-Benz Motor sport, said: “The success of our sport at the top level depends on strong foundations at the grass roots. This new Fund will make a huge difference as we invest in improving the training and skills in motor sport across the world.”

The young driver safety scholarship program will consist of grants awarded to young drivers demonstrating exceptional talent to support their understanding of safety and human performance issues in motor sport and on the ordinary road. The scholarship will include a special course in injury prevention, safety management and human performance. Special emphasis will also be placed on the role model that young racing drivers should try to adopt in their career in the sport.

The officials skills safety training program will consist of grants awarded to officials to upgrade their skills in a wide range of organizational functions relevant to safety at motor sport events. Grants will cover the cost of participation in training programs offered by experienced National Sporting Associations and also to support participation in the safety-related training programs being developed by the FIA Institute for Motor Sport Safety.

The facility safety improvement consultancy program will help with the development of motor sport venues in emerging motor sport nations. In some places the development of viable venues, in terms of their level of spectator and competitor safety, is a vital task. The Program will offer grant support for consultancy services to National Sporting Associations that are in the process of establishing or upgrading motor sport facilities and ensure that appropriate safety standards are in place.

The Fund is administered by the FIA Foundation, a UK-registered charity.

F1–May 25, 2008