When the pinnacle of motorsport journeyed back to the Dutch coastline recently, the ambiance was highly charged.
However, amidst the overwhelming presence of orange, the festive gatherings surrounding the circuit, and the thrilling contests on the asphalt, a formal announcement during a media session hinted at a fresh direction for the competition. At the Netherlands event, the top-tier open-wheel racing series and its worldwide associate Allwyn unveiled the inaugural F1 Allwyn Global Community Award.
This brand-new effort is intended to acknowledge and honor projects with a community focus in nations hosting races, presenting regional organizations with a worldwide venue to highlight their contributions.
For Allwyn, a global corporation specializing in lottery-based entertainment, and for the racing series itself, the recognition represents something beyond mere symbolic value. It offers a calculated approach to intertwine business relationships with genuine community advancement, all while embodying a more extensive dedication to social welfare.
Award Genesis
The conceptualization of the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award occurred throughout initial conversations between the leadership of the racing series and Allwyn. According to Robert Chvatal, Allwyn Group’s Chief Executive Officer, “It was a collaborative and spontaneous concept that received unanimous support. It’s widely recognized that lotteries commonly contribute to beneficial initiatives and local communities. Therefore, upon discussion with F1 colleagues, incorporating that purpose within the F1 environment felt like a logical fit. This is how the accolade originated.”
The undertaking was officially publicized at the Austrian event in June, with the racing series’ President and CEO, Stefano Domenicali, participating in the announcement. Yet, as Chvatal pointed out, the announcement was merely the starting phase.
“Our priority was to guarantee impartiality, openness, and a well-organized structure,” he stated. “Given that confidence is essential in lotteries, we dedicated several months post-announcement to refine the guidelines, standards, and selection process prior to introducing the first distinction at Zandvoort.”
Community Contributions
F1 Allwyn Global Community Award
Photo by: Liberty Media
Allwyn regards societal assistance as fundamental. The core function of lotteries involves directing earnings towards beneficial endeavors, spanning from artistic initiatives to social programs.
“Community lies at the center of Allwyn’s beliefs,” Chvatal clarified. “Whenever we consider a collaboration, we inquire: what is the community influence? This distinction naturally builds upon that.”
The racing series has similarly been improving its strategy concerning social effects. Joel Seymour-Hyde, the racing series’ Head of Partnership Management, situates the honor within the series’ broader environmental, social, and governance obligations: “It’s essential to establish a beneficial heritage wherever we conduct races. We are profoundly appreciated by the communities hosting us, so proactively contributing is a high priority. The award offers us a concrete means of drawing attention to projects that truly impact positively.”
Standards and Selection
Allwyn and the racing series collaboratively formulated the award’s standards, incorporating feedback from regional event organizers. Eligible groups need to be non-profit entities capable of creating significant influence across areas like inclusivity, innovation, education, health and prosperity, or ecological accountability. Notably, initiatives are required to maintain associations with communities surrounding racing events.
A panel comprised of three members analyzes an extensive candidate pool, measuring submissions according to rigorous benchmarks. Solely the champion is revealed publicly.
“We aim to focus attention on acknowledging the victor, instead of noting participants who weren’t successful,” Chvatal explained. “While we won’t disclose the identities of other candidates, we have confidence in the selection process and the jury’s deliberations that resulted in the winner.”
The Initial Recipient
F1 Allwyn Global Community Award
Photo by: Liberty Media
The first-ever distinction was presented to Stichting HandicapNL, a Dutch charity dedicated to ensuring that events and significant gatherings are welcoming to individuals living with impairments.
Their impact was evident in Zandvoort through a specialized observation deck designed for wheelchair users, tranquil areas created for attendees experiencing sensory sensitivities, along with tailored lavatories and changing spaces.
Jan Willem Koopman from Stichting HandicapNL conveyed feelings of profound appreciation: “Everyone should have the chance to attend a festival or function at some point. Regrettably, this is not typical for the two million individuals in the Netherlands who have impairments. Our project assists organizers in rendering their locations accessible. To receive recognition for that here at the grand prix, visible to a global audience, is truly remarkable.”
In addition to the custom-made trophy, Stichting HandicapNL accepted a €100,000 donation from Allwyn. These resources will enable the charity to improve accessibility at a minimum of four further gatherings and advise six other event planners regarding inclusive layout strategies. “Our intention is to stimulate widespread change,” Koopman stated. “So that accessibility is a standard feature across all events and festivals.”
Impact Assessment
In addition to the financial backing of €100,000, Allwyn monitors how the recipients allocate resources and the resulting effects. Allwyn’s CSR department defines objectives and maintains communication with supported groups.
“This is not consultative,” Chvatal clarified. “We do not direct charities on how to execute their tasks. But we will track accomplishments, because the purpose of it all is to positively influence the future. We want to have the ability to illustrate the positive changes occurring on both the local and international stages.”
Directly involving the fan base in subsequent campaigns is under consideration, possibly through voting mechanisms to select initiatives from a provided list. “We are open to exploring it,” Chvatal mentioned. “However, fairness and transparency are vital. The fans have to perceive it as authentic, not contrived.”
Strategic Significance
F1 Allwyn Global Community Award
Photo by: Liberty Media
This acknowledgment signifies more than altruism; it embodies calculated planning. Allwyn’s entrance into the racing world transcends mere branding purposes. “Merely affixing a name is elementary,” Chvatal stated. “The real challenge lies in converting recognition into meaning. This accolade supports our mission to enhance play for all individuals.”
Simultaneously, this recognition reinforces the racing series’ environmental, social, and governance message and reinforces social contributions to governments, promoters, and followers. “Our global audience totals 826 million,” Seymour-Hyde stated. “This offers us a remarkable opportunity to support community endeavors that might otherwise remain unseen outside of their immediate surroundings.”
In addition to partnering with the racing series, Allwyn became an official associate of McLaren this year. “We engaged with several teams and chose McLaren in the end,“ mentioned Chvatal. He then added with a smile: “Following the season’s developments, one might observe, those individuals made an intelligent choice in aligning with McLaren. Or they might joke that Allwyn offered McLaren some racing advice, they considered it, and now they are securing victories! Of course, it’s only a jest!“
Future Plans
The Dutch event represents a starting point. In 2025, three additional awards will be granted in Austin, Mexico City, and Las Vegas, each selected for the purpose of enhancing Allwyn’s presence and building upon solid local community initiatives.
Seymour-Hyde clarified their method: “The selection of races for this recognition is a collaborative process where event organizers are key associates. We discuss with them to understand current local initiatives, how well they are integrated, and identify avenues in their markets for impactful change.”
The objective for 2026 involves at least tripling the quantity of awards. “We don’t necessarily plan to conduct it at every race,” Chvatal stated. “While it will likely be unfeasible everywhere, our intention is to gradually expand annually.”
The upcoming ceremonies across North America will examine the concept’s cultural and contextual applicability. Both Allwyn and the racing series foresee extended opportunities to deepen fan participation, reinforce regional collaborations, and accumulate examples that underscore the sport’s worth outside of competitive racing. The racing series and Allwyn are banking on the notion that community engagement can assume a central role in the sport’s legacy, equivalent to the racing competition, by offering a prominent platform to regional initiatives.
