LONDON, England - A signed race suit worn by 2012 Formula 1 World champion Sebastian Vettel has been sold for the equivalent of R155 000 at a charity auction.
The suit was part of a collection of F1 memorabilia sold at Bonhams auctions house in London that raised R550 000 for the Wings for Life charity which funds research into spinal-cord injuries.
A signed suit worn by this season's World championship runner-up, Fernando Alonso, went for R85 000.
AUTHENTIC F1 RACING MEMOROBILIA
Suits belonging to recently retired German great Michael Schumacher and British former champions Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button were also sold. Other lots included signed driving gloves and photographic prints.
Vettel, 25, in November 2012 became the youngest driver to win three World Drivers' titles with sixth at the Brazilian GP with Red Bull.
"It's been one of the most competitive seasons for F1 drivers," Vettel said. "I'm really proud to have won the championship with the team and it's great that these suits have raised so much money for such a fantastic charity."