McLaren Racing today launched a new fundraising challenge to raise vital funds for mental health charity, Mind.

One Lap for Mind is a virtual fundraising challenge where participants can sign up to walk, run, or cycle the distance of one lap of the Silverstone circuit (5.9km) across the week of the British Grand Prix (27 June - 3 July).

McLaren Racing's Formula 1 drivers Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo will take part in the challenge on the Silverstone track on Thursday 30 June, alongside their McLaren teammates, including F1 Team Principal Andreas Seidl and CEO, Zak Brown, plus Mind's CEO, Paul Farmer.

Physical activity can help maintain positive mental health in many ways, either on its own, or in combination with other treatments. Everyone has different fitness levels, tolerances and preferences, and One Lap for Mind is about completing the 5.9km distance at a pace that suits you, anytime during the British Grand Prix week. That might mean taking on the full 5.9km in one go, or breaking it down and completing 1km a day over the course of the week.

Participants who raise more than £59 will be entered into a draw where one lucky challenger will be able to meet Lando Norris and Daniel Ricciardo at Silverstone on Thursday 30 June and do their 5.9km on track with the Formula 1 team.

The Formula 1 team's fundraising goal for this event is to raise £59,000, with all proceeds going to Mind. The money raised will support Mind's Infoline, giving someone a voice to talk to when things are too much, keep their online community Side by Side open for anyone feeling isolated, and help them to keep pushing people in power to protect the rights and support the needs of those of us with a mental health problem.

Since July 2020, McLaren Racing has raised nearly £400,000 for Mind through the efforts and generosity of fans, partners and team members. In 2021, McLaren supported the charity with a range of activities including:

• Charity prize draws for Lando and Daniel's self-designed Monaco helmets, T-shirts from the World Mental Health Day driver challenge, Lando's Silverstone helmet and Daniel's race-worn overalls.
• Hosting the first 'Stream for Mind' esports event, which featured Lando and exArsenal footballer Ian Wright, alongside an internal 'Switch Off, Game On' fundraising event for employees.

This charity partnership is a unique opportunity to support Mind in helping to tackle the mental health emergency created by the coronavirus pandemic, and reach Formula 1 fans who might be experiencing a mental health problem.

Zak Brown, CEO, McLaren Racing, said:

"I am proud to take part in the One Lap for Mind fundraising challenge. It is the perfect way to honour our three-year partnership anniversary with Mind while engaging our people and fans in a fun and positive activity to raise vital funds for their work.

"We chose to continue supporting Mind into the 2022 season as part of our goal to positively impact our people and the communities where we work and race. It is important that we continue to spotlight the mental health emergency created by the pandemic, and support the services Mind offer and the positive impact they make on people's lives.

"I'd also like to thank our colleagues at Formula 1 and Silverstone for helping us host the charity track event during the British Grand Prix."

Paul Farmer, CEO, Mind, who will be joining Zak to take part in the track event on the 30 June, said:

"We're thrilled to mark our three-year anniversary with McLaren Racing through this brilliant fundraising challenge, and we'd like to say a huge thank you to them - and to those at Formula 1 and Silverstone - for making this event happen.

"The entire McLaren Racing family has been behind our partnership from the moment it launched back in 2020, helping to make it a success through some creative fundraising activities and encouraging important conversations around mental health.

"The impact of the pandemic, combined with more current issues like the rising cost of living, are taking a toll on our mental health, especially for those of us with existing mental health problems. Even though 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health problem each year, many of us don’t know where to reach out for support or how to share what we're going through.

"We're determined to change that. With the support of McLaren Racing, and their fans taking part in One Lap for Mind, we can reach even more people through services like Mind Infoline and Side by Side, so that no one has to experience a mental health problem alone."

To sign up for the challenge, please visit the One Lap for Mind JustGiving page:
www.justgiving.com/team/McLarenRacingMind