18/11/2012
NEWS STORY
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Formula One's last foray in to the United States did not end well. The calamity of the 2005 US Grand Prix, in which only six cars took the start, left a sour taste in the mouth of American fans. The sport beat a hasty retreat from Indianapolis two short years later.
This year the sport makes what it hopes to be a heroic and successful return to one of the world's largest consumer markets. Debuting at the purpose built $400million Circuit of the Americas in Texas, Formula One has a permanent home in the 'States for the first time since Watkins Glen.
However while the racing is key to the sport's success Ferrari has done the sport no harm at all by raising $1.5million for those most affected by Hurricane Sandy, the super storm which battered the east coast of the country in late October. More than 200 people were killed by the storm which is estimated to have caused more than $50billion worth of damage.
Ferrari played its part by donating proceeds from the sale of the first F12berlinetta to be delivered to the US to the cause. Sold at auction, bidding drove the cost of Ferrari's latest offering up to $1.125million which, when combined with the more than $300,000 already raised for the America Red Cross society took Ferrari's contribution up to $1.5million.
Our picture shows Marty McKellips, CEO of the Red Cross of Central Texas; Marco Mattiacci, President & CEO of Ferrari North America and Larry Roth of Long Island, New York, who placed the winning bid.