Formula 1 will go pink as part of breast cancer awareness month in association with the Susan G. Komen Foundation at this weekend’s United States Grand Prix at the Circuit of the Americas.
The dividing line between the fast lane and the pit boxes in the pit-lane has gone pink while Pirelli will bring pink-banded Ultrasoft tyres for one weekend only compared to the traditional purple.
“Pirelli is completely behind this key initiative, using its tyres to get the impactful message across,” the Italian supplier commented when revealing the one-off colour change,
“It’s a symbol of solidarity and commitment, as well as a powerful reminder of the importance of the cause. So, this weekend, make sure you think pink.”
A number of other events are planned with everyone in the paddock set to be involved helping to raise money with the merchandise for this year’s race also getting a pink tone.
For the race promoter Bobby Epstein, it marks an incredible opportunity to put a spotlight on a major issue as well as team up with a cause that has deep-seeded roots in the state of Texas.
“F1 is partnering with the Susan G. Komen Foundation to raise awareness for breast cancer research and I think using the global platform of F1 to raise awareness is of tremendous value to those people whose lives would be bettered by those advancements to breast cancer research,” he told veteran journalist James Allen.
“Over a half million people die every year due to breast cancer and tremendous strides are being made in the search for cures and treatments.
“I grew up less than two miles from the Susan Komen foundation as their headquarters are in Dallas and I watched them grow and it’s nice to see them making great strides towards treatment,” he added.
“People may not realise that but the research and research facility are in Houston as well as the Susan Komen facility in Dallas so it’s a great effort and Texas has been [important] to cancer research and breast cancer research.
“So that’s what we’ll try and do this year: help the cause.”
