Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds has won his bet on Max Verstappen’s title chances. At the start of the 2024 season, the Brit promised that if any driver could beat the Dutchman in the drivers’ championship, he would donate a quarter of a million dollars to a charity of their choice. In the end, Verstappen himself won the world title, but Dodds has decided to donate the money anyway, in collaboration with the Red Bull driver.
“If Verstappen doesn’t win the world title, we’ll give a quarter of a million dollars to a charity of the driver who beats him,” were the words with which Formula E CEO Jeff Dodds made a bet last February. Lando Norris was the only driver who could still pose a challenge to the Dutchman, but ultimately Max Verstappen came out on top in Las Vegas. However, Dodds has decided to donate the promised money anyway. Together with Verstappen, he has now chosen two charities.
Charitable Causes
“We need to do something good with that money. So if you’re up for it, we’ll split it and you also give half of the quarter million to a charity of your choice,” Dodds tells Verstappen in a video conversation between the two. The Dutchman enthusiastically accepts the offer. Verstappen immediately reveals that his half will go to Wings For Life, the charity of his team Red Bull. Dodds, in turn, donates money to More Than Equal, an organization that helps female drivers break into professional motorsport.
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“What started as a ‘bet’ with a wink at the beginning of the season has grown into a serious commitment to support gender equality within our championship,” Dodds said in the official press release. “I would also like to thank Max Verstappen and Red Bull for donating half of the money from my original bet to Wings For Life in support of the important work they do in spinal cord research.” The Formula E CEO further expressed his anticipation for Verstappen’s performance next season.
