FIA pays tribute to the work of the Red Cross against the COVID-19 pandemic

Published: 08/09/2020

Today in Bergamo (Italy), Jean Todt, President of the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), and Francesco Rocca, President of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), paid tribute to the work carried out worldwide by Red Cross teams against COVID-19 since the beginning of the pandemic.

In a city and region particularly affected by the Coronavirus, and two days before the Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix to be held on Sunday in Monza, not far from Bergamo, the two personalities praised the work carried out to protect people.

In the presence of Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the IFRC, Maurizio Bonomi, President of the Bergamo Red Cross, Giorgio Gori, Mayor of Bergamo, Valerio Bettoni, President of the Automobile Club of Bergamo, Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the Automobile Club of Italy, Graham Stoker, FIA Deputy President for Sport, Peter Bayer, FIA Secretary General for Sport and Gérard Saillant, President of the FIA Medical Commission, they met with the local Red Cross teams and gave their support to their action.

The FIA and the IFRC, which have been developing a partnership for road safety since 2014, concluded a new agreement this year to join forces against the COVID-19 pandemic. This agreement includes financial support of nearly €2 million, half of which is provided by the FIA Foundation and the other half from the proceeds of a #RaceAgainstCovid race driver equipment online auction organised in the spring. The co-operation between FIA clubs and Red Cross National Societies to develop actions in the field, and support for the health protocol has enabled Formula 1 to be the first international sporting competition to restart this year.

With 243 clubs in 146 countries representing 80 million road users, the FIA is present worldwide in the fields of Motor Sport and Mobility. With 192 national societies and nearly 13 million volunteers, the IFRC is the largest humanitarian network in the world.

Jean Todt, President of the FIA, said:
"In Bergamo and around the world, IFRC teams are carrying out vital work against the COVID-19 pandemic and the FIA is committing all its energy as well as that of the Motor Sport community and the international network of its Member Clubs to support them. In these difficult times, health, Sport and Mobility must work together."

Francesco Rocca, President of the IFRC, said:
"We are very proud of the trust that the FIA has placed in us. The collaboration between IFRC and FIA comes from afar and stems from a common concern for safety. Over the years we have been associated in road safety campaigns, today, in the face of this global pandemic, the very concept of safety has acquired a broader aspect and needs even greater commitment. I sincerely thank President Todt for being with us today in Bergamo, a city that is a symbol of the suffering that has brought about by COVID-19, and the great commitment of the Red Cross volunteers to deal with this emergency."

Jagan Chapagain, Secretary General of the IFRC, said:
"We have to thank our volunteers across Europe and throughout the world who are working around the clock to keep communities healthy and safe. And we also thank partners like the FIA for their generosity that has enabled IFRC to mount a global response to COVID-19 and support governments and communities in their struggle to stop the spread of this lethal virus."

Angelo Sticchi Damiani, President of the ACI, said:
"Bergamo is a symbol, in Italy, and in the world, for the spirit with which doctors, nurses, hospital and Red Cross personnel have worked and are working in these difficult times. This is why ACI has decided to invite 250 of them to attend the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, so that institutions, ACI, FIA, drivers, teams and fans all over the world can give them the thanks and applause they deserve."