Nico Hulkenberg to auction race-used Mexico GP gold leaf helmet for charity

Sauber Formula 1 driver Nico Hulkenberg is set to auction his race-used 2025 Mexico Grand Prix helmet for charity.

The auction will raise money for the Hahnair Foundation, which works to support women and children living in poverty.

“I am delighted to be working with the Hahnair Foundation on this project," Hulkenberg said. "The foundation has been committed to improving the development of health facilities and social institutions all around the world. This is a great and important initiative, which I am happy to support by donating my race worn helmet on Sunday after the race to Nico Gormsen and his team."

Hahnair co-founder Nico Gormsen added: "This is an exciting moment for the Hahnair Foundation. We are proud to see this collaboration come to fruition. Nico Hulkenberg is providing a powerful asset, and we are ready to maximize its impact.

"This tangible piece of F1 history will immediately translate into concrete support, funding essential health facilities, building nurseries and establishing social institutions for those most in need. We are grateful to Nico for recognizing the crucial work the Hahnair Foundation does, and we look forward to achieving this goal together." 

The helmet features a special design introduced for the Mexico City race and incorporates the Piedra del Sol, Aztec Stone of the Sun, using gold leaf. It is set for auction on 18 November 2025 via F1 Authentics with bids starting from £5000.

“We are pleased to be working with Nico Hulkenberg on the auction of this one-off helmet for charity," Memento Exclusives founder and CEO Barry Gough said.

Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber

Photo by: Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images

"Hulkenberg has had a season to remember and continues to be a favourite amongst F1 fans too. With this in mind, we expect this helmet to drive a lot of interest and hope that our auction will be able to raise significant funds to go towards the great work of the Hahnair Foundation.” 

Unfortunately for the German driver, he walked away from the Mexico Grand Prix with a DNF due to a power issue.

“It’s obviously a very tough one to take today," the 38-year-old driver explained after the race. "We had power issues right from the formation lap, which basically ended our race before it even began. It’s frustrating for everyone in the team because we know the pace was there to fight for something decent.

"Still, we managed to bring home a point with Gabi, which is better than nothing. Overall, a disappointing weekend, but we’ll work hard to understand what went wrong and fight back in Brazil.”