Formula One to support Sir Jackie Stewart's dementia charity Race Against Dementia

Formula One has announced its support of a dementia charity established by Scottish racing legend Sir Jackie Stewart.

The 83-year-old was crowned Formula One World Champion three times in his illustrious career – in 1969, 1971 and 1973 – along with 27 Grand Prix victories.

He previously told STV News that finding a cure for dementia would be a bigger achievement than anything he did in his motor-racing career.

Sir Jackie established Race Against Dementia (RAD) after his wife Lady Helen was diagnosed with the condition in 2015.

RAD raises money for global research, the development of treatments and a potential cure for dementia.

Sir Jackie Stewart with Lady Helen in 1972, at the Circuit Paul Ricard in Le Castellet, France. Getty Images

It also helps early-career researchers and other dementia scientists to pursue innovative ideas at the highest level.

As part of the new partnership, Formula One and RAD will use the sport’s global platform and growing fanbase to raise awareness of the charity’s work and support its fundraising efforts.

The announcement comes in the 50th anniversary year of Stewart’s third and final world championship triumph.

“Formula One is proud to be supporting Race Against Dementia in their tireless work to find a cure for a terrible disease that destroys lives and rips families apart,” said the organisation’s president and CEO Stefano Domenicali.

“I want to pay tribute to Sir Jackie Stewart for his incredible efforts to raise awareness and funding for a cause that I know is very personal to him.

Lady Helen was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2015. Contributed

“We believe we can use our platform as a global sport to further highlight awareness and help to find a cure for something that affects so many people around the world.”

Sir Jackie added: “I am delighted that Formula One has appointed RAD as an official charity.

“Unless we do something to find a cure or way to prevent this terrible disease, one in three people born today will die with dementia. The statistics are horrifying.

“My wife of over 60 years, Helen, was diagnosed with frontotemporal dementia in 2015, so I know first hand the problems that people living with dementia face.

“This crisis cannot continue – please help me by joining our race against dementia.”