Felipe Massa was at the centre of an auction on Monday evening in Sao Paulo to raise money for UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund.

Guests contributed with a total of $164,000 by purchasing 25 articles as helmets, overalls, race shoes, watches, football jerseys, 'flying laps', everything reunited by Massa with the help from his colleagues and other Brazilian sports and media personalities.

Businessman Marcelo Ruas captured the most expensive items of all, a Frank Muller watch for which he paid $27,500. Ruas also took a Michael Schumacher overall at $15,000.

Massa himself won a Tony Kanaan helmet and a Rogério Ceni (São Paulo FC goalkeeper) uniform, paying $6,800.

Massa's helmet used to take the runner-up spot at 2008 Chinese Grand Prix and the pole at in Brazil was sold for $15,000.


Three 'flying laps' as Massa's passenger on board of a Ferrari F430 GT3 at the Interlagos circuit meant another $13,500 for UNICEF.

Nelson Piquet, Lucas di Grassi, Luciano Burti and other local drivers also attended the event, an initiative from Felipe's younger brother Dudu organized by his sister Fernanda.

The money collected will be used in the UNICEF programmes located in the poorest parts of the country.

E.A. © CAPSIS International