When the Alpine Endurance Team crossed the finish line at the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans, Ferdinand Habsburg secured a remarkable top-six result after 381 laps completed on one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits. But for the Austrian driver and great-grandson of Emperor Charles I, the most significant victory had nothing to do with his finishing position.
Every lap Habsburg completed was sponsored at a minimum of €22, precisely what it costs the global charity Mary’s Meals to provide one child with a daily school meal for an entire year. To date, the “Race for Meals” campaign has secured vital nutrition for 672 children in Malawi, where Mary’s Meals has been serving daily school meals since 2003 and currently reaches over 1.3 million pre-primary and primary school children in the country.
The urgency is real. Malawi is experiencing its worst food crisis in seven years, affecting more than four million people, while fewer than half of the country’s children complete primary school.
“I want to ensure that these children no longer have to worry about where their next meal is coming from,” said Habsburg. “I’m deeply committed to standing by their side.”
This season, Habsburg has set a more ambitious target — supporting three schools in Malawi through the program. To get there, he has donated a one-of-a-kind custom motorcycle built on the iconic BMW R 80 platform, now available through a prestigious charity auction hosted by Dorotheum, one of the world’s oldest auction houses. Bidding is open through June 24.
The race, in every meaningful sense, continues. To support the campaign, visit marysmeals.org/campaigns/habsburg-races-24-hours-of-le-mans-2026.
