It’s been a whirlwind 18 months for Alex Peroni, who has experienced the highs of winning at the Monaco Grand Prix and the lows of a horrific crash at Monza that has seen the rising star miss a chunk of racing.

 

Now in a bid to get back on the track in 2020, the same gear worn during those two major moments in the Tasmanian’s aspiring career are going to be put to auction during a fundraiser in Hobart this weekend.

 

Together with a host of other items donated by supporters and current Formula 1 stars such as Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen, there will be a lots on offer during the event with proceeds from the auction will go towards funding Alex’s 2020 campaign.

 

Creating headlines around the world, Peroni’s crash during the FIA Formula 3 Championship’s visit to Monza as a support category at the Italy Grand Prix, Peroni is now on the road to recovery with December the earliest he can begin training.

 

“Naturally I’d love to keep the helmet, because together with the halo on the car it helped save my life and also because it’s the helmet I wore when I won at Monaco last year. But if I’m going to get back racing in 2020 then we need the funds. It’s as simple as that,” Peroni said.

 

“I’m confident I can get back to a good level of fitness before pre-season testing resumes early in the new year, but it’s going to take a lot of time in the gym and running and cycling to get me back up to where I need to be.

 

“It’s going to be a lot of hard work, but frankly I’m really looking forward to it. The last few months have given me time to reflect on the future and I’m more determined than ever to pursue my dream of becoming a professional racing car driver.”

 

While there will be a number of a prestigious items part of the auction, former title-winning Formula 1 Team Manager Peter Windsor will be the special guest for the event hosted by popular presenter and racer Glenn Ridge.

 

"Alex’s accident shocked the motor racing world not only because of its severity but also because it was the result of a tiny, common mistake that hundreds of drivers make throughout the year,” Windsor said.

 

“We all want to see him fully recovered and back on the grid as soon as possible. I believe he has enormous talent and given the opportunity, which he deserves, then he has the ability to go all the way to Formula 1.

 

“Alex needs strong financial backing so he can compete on a fair basis with his peers, most of whom have had double the amount of seat time testing.

 

“He has nevertheless done exceptionally well in his career to date, winning a single-seater series in Europe in 2016, winning at Pau in 2017 and Monaco and Pau in 2018. Success on those sorts of street circuits says a lot.

 

“He also made a good start to his rookie year in Formula 3 before the unfortunate accident at Monza. Let’s hope he gets the support he needs to show his full potential in 2020.”

 

 

The Alex Peroni fundraiser takes place at Wrest Point in Hobart on 15 November.

 


 

•          Alex’s race helmet and gloves

•          A VIP package for two people to the Australian Grand Prix including airfares and four night’s accommodation in Melbourne (donated by the Australian Grand Prix Corporation and Blundstone)

•          Two nights of absolute luxury at Saffire (donated by Federal Hotels)

•          Two VIP passes to Tasmania’s unique gin festival, Gin-uary (donated by Gin-uary)

•          Handmade Italian leather bags (donated by Fellini, Hobart)

•          Two signed magnums of 2008 Brunello wine (donated by the CEO of Ferrari, Louis Camilliri from his Montalcino vineyard)

•          Artwork by Janet Hill who was a finalist in the Henry Jones Art Prize 2018

•          Parts from Alex’s wrecked Formula 3 car including carbon fibre front nose cone and cover, front spoilers and end plates

•          Items provided by current Formula 1 drivers – Lewis Hamilton, Daniel Ricciardo, Max Verstappen and Kimi Raikkonen. Also, the official programme for the 2019 USGP. Front cover signed by: Lewis Hamilton, Mario Andretti, Sebastian Vettel, Damon Hill, Jacques Villeneuve, Nico Rosberg, Alain Prost, Toto Wolff, Stefano Domenicali and Daniel Ricciardo

 

Tax deductible donations to support Alex’s return to motorsport can also be made via the Australian Sports Foundation  https://asf.org.au/athletes/get-alex-peroni-back-on-track/