Red Bull driver auctions GP helmet for spinal charity
Formula 1 driver Yuki Tsunoda will hold a helmet auction to raise funds for spinal cord injury research after racing in Las Vegas.
All proceeds from the sale of the specially designed helmet will go to the Wings for Life Spinal Cord Research Foundation, which funds research into treatments and potential cures for spinal cord injuries.
The helmet, created by artist Kent Yoshimura, features a Japanese-inspired Kintsugi theme, the art of repairing broken objects with gold.
The Red Bull Racing driver will wear the helmet during the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend before it goes to auction through F1 Authentics. The listing, designated Lot 502, is expected to sell for a five-figure sum.
According to the listing, the auction house will receive the helmet immediately after the race, with bidding closing 18 days later. The soon-to-be race-worn helmet was unveiled ahead of the weekend, with the driver thanking Yoshimura for the design.
“My friend Kent designed my helmet for Las Vegas 2025.” Tsunoda said in a video posted to social media.
“Yeah, I’m super stoked. We both have the Japanese connection, and the helmet itself is a representation of Yuki. The challenges, the resilience, and all of that in the theme of Kintsugi, which is – broken things can be mended with gold and turned to something much more beautiful.”
“So the fact that Yuki’s wearing it for my hometown race in Las Vegas is absolutely an honour, I’m so excited.”
“For me it’s the best helmet, I saw like… the blue and the gold, especially the colour matches, it’s among my favourites. So can’t wait to get on the track with that helmet.”
Wings for Life has maintained a long-standing partnership with Red Bull Racing, using the platform to raise awareness and funds for spinal cord research. The foundation supports projects focusing on acute and chronic spinal cord injuries, funding both basic research and clinical applications.
The Las Vegas race represents the first of the final three races in Tsunoda’s first season with Red Bull Racing, following his promotion from Racing Bulls earlier in the campaign.
Despite facing challenges this season, with team-mate Max Verstappen 313 points ahead in the drivers’ standings, Tsunoda remains focused on performance.
“If I say I’m not nervous, that would be a lie.” he said ahead of the Vegas race. “It’s just a similar situation as last year. Or even two years ago. So to be honest, I got used to it. That’s part of this Formula 1.
“The good thing is I had experience with that situation a lot of times. I know what I have to do for the next few races. In the end, those decisions I can’t control, right? So what I can control is to give the performance and give my best. And that’s what I enjoy and that’s what I’m here for. That’s what I’m going to do.”
