23 May Industry Luminaries to Judge Inaugural Grace Influential Impact Award

Posted at 14:13h in News by

Industry Luminaries to Judge Inaugural Grace Influential Impact Award

New York, May 23, 2023 – A stellar judging panel of global experts is today announced by the Princess Grace Foundation for the inaugural Grace Influential Positive Impact Award, the winner of which will be announced at this weekend’s FORMULA 1 GRAND PRIX DE MONACO 2023.

Spanning motorsport, sport, governing bodies, industry, and entertainment, a diverse panel has been established to ensure a holistic view of the entries submitted by Formula 1 teams – alphabetically as follows:

  • Fiona Ball, Group Director of Bigger Picture and Sustainability at Sky
  • Kate Beavan, Board Member and Strategic Advisor at More than Equal
  • Courtnee Chun, Chief Portfolio Officer at Liberty Media
  • Seth Cohen, Founder and Head of Forbes Impact Lab
  • Anna Nordkvist, Vice President, Sport for Europe of the FIA
  • Aimone di Savoia Aosta, Head of Institutional Affairs at Pirelli
  • Chris Smalling, Serie A Footballer at AS Roma
  • Michele Uva, Social and Environmental Director at UEFA
  • Olivier Wenden, CEO of the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation
  • Alex Wurz, former F1 driver, BMX world champion, and two-time LeMans winner

The judges have been tasked with scoring each submission against a range of robust criteria including their alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, the F1 Sustainability Strategy, and the UNFCCC Sports for Climate Action Framework, as well as their synergy with the philanthropic spirit of the Princess Grace Foundation.

A celebration of the entries will take place in the Pirelli hospitality zone on 26 May, with a donation contributed to recovery efforts in northern Italy in response to the flooding currently affecting the Emilia-Romagna region. The event will focus on sharing the achievements of all entrants, providing an opportunity for F1 teams to share the positive impact they are making as the Championship moves towards its ambitious decarbonisation targets. The winning team will be announced and presented with their trophy by HSH Prince Albert II of Monaco in the pitlane on Saturday morning.

Brisa Carleton, CEO of the Princess Grace Foundation, said: “We feel hugely privileged to be joined by such an outstanding panel of judges in the award’s first year, demonstrating the seriousness with which this topic is rightly taken by the industry’s leading figures. The scenes of devastation and tragedy in northern Italy over this last week reminds us why progress on sustainability is so urgently needed, and our thoughts remain with the communities affected.”

Aimone di Savoia Aosta, Head of Institutional Affairs at Pirelli, said: “The submissions received for the Grace Influential Positive Impact Award demonstrate the significant strides that motorsport is taking towards environmental and social sustainability. Pirelli wanted to be at the side of the Princess Grace Foundation, since the commitment to these targets has become a strong pillar of our long-term corporate strategy. The opportunity also allows us to make a tangible contribution to help the people of Emilia-Romagna, affected by the flooding last week”.

Anna Nordkvist, Vice President, Sport for Europe of the FIA, said: “I was truly inspired by the projects submitted to the Grace Influential Positive Impact Award, and by their ongoing commitment to innovation and driving change. Formula 1 teams have a huge responsibility beyond racing in terms of positively influencing, and the entries show how seriously this responsibility is taken.”

Dr Cristiana Pace, Ambassador for the Grace Influential Positive Impact Award and CEO of Enovation Consulting, said: “Over the course of decades, the motorsport industry has shown its ability to innovate at the highest level, so it is no surprise to see the incredible things that can be achieved when that lens is applied to sustainability. The award showcases the many ways Formula 1 is harnessing the power of sport to inspire real change both now and over the long term.”

Michele Uva, Social and Environmental Director at UEFA, said: “As an extraordinary platform that reaches billions of people, sport recognizes its responsibility to take action. The inaugural Grace Influential Positive Impact Award, established by the Princess Grace Foundation with the support of Formula One, is a significant indication of a deep concern and dedication towards environmental issues.”

Fiona Ball, Group Director, The Bigger Picture and Sustainability at Sky, said: “It was an honour to be one of the judges for this year’s Grace Influential Positive Impact Award, and incredible to see the work all the teams are doing to make a difference to society and the environment across the globe. Congratulations to all the teams for creating such positive impact and good luck to you all!”