Teaming up with the international charity Mary’s Meals, Habsburg is launching ‘Race for Meals’, a unique fundraising campaign during the 2025 24 Hours of Le Mans, combining his passion for racing with a cause close to his heart.
Mary’s Meals provides life-changing daily meals to children in the world’s poorest communities. A donation of just €22 is enough to feed a child for an entire school year. Through this campaign, fans and supporters can sponsor each lap Ferdinand and the #35 Alpine crew complete at Le Mans, turning race distance into hope.
An anonymous sponsor has pledged to match all donations, doubling the number of children who can be fed through this initiative. Joining the effort, French cosmetic brand Clarins Group has committed to contributing an additional €22 for every lap completed.
This means that for every single lap Ferdinand and the #35 crew drive, three children will receive meals for a full year.
Adding to the momentum, Ferdinand, who won Le Mans in 2021, has pledged to donate his winner’s bonus should he claim victory again this year.
How it works:
- Visit: https://marysmeals.at/ferdinand-for-mm/
- Donate €22 per lap to sponsor a child’s meals for a year
- Track Ferdinand’s progress live during the race: a counter on the official campaign site will show how many laps have been completed and how many children have been sponsored
In last year’s race, the winning car completed 311 laps which would be the equivalent of over 900 children fed, thanks to matched donations.
“This campaign is a way for me to give back while doing what I love,” says Habsburg. “It’s more than a race. It’s a chance to make every lap count for something far greater.”
Q&A with Ferdinand Habsburg:
How did you first get involved with Mary’s Meals?
Many cousins and Aunts have given a great deal of their time to work for the charity because of its great mission. They do amazing things. I was always looking for a way to contribute meaningfully.
What about their mission resonates most with you personally?
Of all of the causes in the world to fight for, bringing food to starving children whilst also educating them seems to me the first and most urgent need to conquer. It is a mission everyone can get behind, it is not only important but also unifies us.
Why did you decide to bring Mary’s Meals into the world of motorsport, specifically at Le Mans?
It’s a race about the most distance you can cover in 24 hours. And Mary’s Meals will join me in trying to bring nutrition to as many children as possible for 24 hours!
What are your hopes or goals in terms of impact from this campaign?
The goal is to feed another child for a year for every lap the Car 35 achieves in Le Mans! This will also be doubled twice by sponsors! Plus, my winning bonus will also go to Mary’s Meals!
Does this campaign bring added pressure or inspiration, as you race?
It’s now simply a part of it. I hope we can do well in Le Mans in the fight against world hunger.
What would you say to someone who might think a small donation won’t make a difference?
How else do you see motorsport contributing to social causes like this one?
It is our individual responsibility to help others when we can. Time in motorsport is limited, but we have a platform. It’s up to us to know what to do with our responsibility.
