For the second year in a row, Ferdinand Habsburg joins Mary’s Meals to raise money for children in need through donations “per lap” of the 24H of Le Mans. Last year’s ‘Race for Meals’ campaign raised €38,764 and provided daily school meals for 1760 children in Malawi for an entire school year.
Ferdinand Habsburg will start in his 6th 24H of Le Mans this week, third with the Alpine Hypercar effort. The Austrian driver will once again race to raise funds for Mary’s Meals and help feed children living in some of the world’s poorest communities.
The Race for Meals initiative was launched by Habsburg himself, together with Mary’s Meals, in 2025. During last year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans race, the campaign raised €38,764, which was enough to provide daily school meals for 1760 children in Malawi throughout an entire school year.
The donations ended up supporting two schools in Malawi: Nanjere Primary School, and Mchenga Primary School. Last summer, Habsburg visited both schools to witness firsthand the impact of the donations made by racing fans and supporters, and to learn more about the vital work Mary’s Meals carries out in the region.
The goal for this year’s Le Mans is similar: to feed as many children in need as possible, one lap at a time. This year, the initiative expands to include a third school, Mbale Primary School in Malawi, extending its support to even more children.
Under the motto “Double the Love”, fans and supporters can sponsor each lap by donating €44 during the race. This amount is enough to provide two children with daily meals for an entire school year. In 2025, Ferdinand and the #35 Alpine crew completed 385 laps during the 24-hour race.
Every lap was sponsored, and additional contributions pushed the final total beyond the race distance, reaching the equivalent of 466 sponsored laps.
“Le Mans is the ultimate test of endurance, determination, and teamwork. For 24 hours, we push ourselves to the limit,” said Ferdinand Habsburg.
“Yet every day, millions of children face a different challenge: finding enough food to eat while trying to get an education. By supporting our initiative, you’re helping Mary’s Meals reach children who would otherwise go hungry.
A simple meal served at school can be the reason a child attends class, gets an education, and creates a pathway out of poverty. I go to Le Mans to give my all and win on the track, but I also want to make a difference off it. By raising awareness and support for a cause that is close to my heart, together we can help give more children the chance to learn, grow, and thrive.”
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