Amber Lounge partners with Sir Jackie Stewart’s foundation

Friday in Monaco has the unique characteristic of not having the drivers on the track. Instead, they are present at various events.

The Amber Lounge fashion show is by far the most sought-after, featuring the participation of five active drivers. But the primary aim of this show is to raise funds for Sir Jackie Stewart’s foundation against dementia.

It is one of the most notable events of the Monegasque weekend: the Amber Lounge drivers’ fashion show. This year, on stage, we had Esteban Ocon, Marcus Ericsson, Pascal Wehrlein, Stoffel Vandoorne, and Daniil Kvyat, as well as Marc Gene and Charles Leclerc, while in the audience there were Prince Albert, Chase Carey, Ross Brawn, and Pamela Anderson.

Every year, the event created by Sonia Irvine, sister of Eddie, partners with a charity that receives the proceeds from auctions on prestigious lots. This year was no exception, and Sir Jackie Stewart’s Race Against Dementia foundation was selected. But for both parties, it wasn’t just a choice among others; it is a subject that is particularly close to their hearts.

Thus, Sir Jackie’s wife, Lady Helen, suffers from dementia just like Sonia and Eddie Irvine’s mother. When we met for an exclusive interview, just minutes before launching the grand event, Sonia Irvine struggled to hide her emotion on the subject: « This year is very special. First of all, it’s our 15th anniversary. But more importantly, this year’s association is Sir Jackie Stewart’s Race Against Dementia. It is a very, very personal subject. We hope we will be able to draw attention to the issue and raise a lot of funds for the association. »

This was the case as the bids on different lots offered in the aftermath of the fashion show reached nearly 450,000 euros, including 180,000 for the opportunity to spend the entire British Grand Prix weekend with the Stewart family, with helicopter transfers and Paddock Club passes included.

During the exclusive interview that Sir Jackie was also able to grant us, the triple world champion was able to convey how deeply the subject affected him: « My wife, Helen, suffers from dementia. It is a particularly cruel disease. It’s important to know that one in three children born today is at risk of being affected during their lifetime. It is, therefore, a particularly serious pandemic. I want to do something to find new ways to act. »

The strategy devised by one of the most famous F1 drivers is to attract young talents from around the world, fresh out of their doctorates, and enable them to access the best global laboratories: « Currently, there is no cure for dementia. There aren’t even medications to prevent dementia. That has to change. »

If he puts his global fame at the service of this cause by traveling to all corners of the globe to meet the most prestigious academics, he is well aware that he is in the privileged position of being able to face the costs that this disease entails: « It is twice as expensive to have a patient with dementia than a patient with cancer or cardiovascular disease. I am fortunate to have been a Formula 1 driver and to be able to afford it. We have four neuro-nurses taking care of Helen. But who else can afford it? »

To find a solution that hasn’t been discovered over decades of research, Sir Jackie believes the best approach is to turn to the youth, who have the advantage of fresh ideas: « Generally, young people are hungry, they want to succeed! We need to find new ways of doing things. My goal is to harness this energy and find a solution more quickly. »

The ambition of the former 77-year-old driver is to see concrete changes in his lifetime, based on his past: « F1 is a very good school for these kinds of situations. There are no problems, only solutions » concluded the man with 27 Grand Prix victories.

Sir Jackie Stewart also ensured that the fixed costs of his organization were covered by his personal funds, which guarantees that all fundraising proceeds can finance the desired projects.

Find the full photo gallery of this evening at www.racingbusiness.fr

From our special correspondent in Monaco