“The potential of that legacy won the day” – Sindbad Mentoring wins the F1® Allwyn Global Community Award
At the Austrian Grand Prix, the second F1® Allwyn Global Community Award of 2026 was presented to Sindbad Mentoring, an organisation that connects teenagers aged 13-19 from underrepresented backgrounds with long-term, personal mentors.
Here, Erwin van Lambaart, CEO and General Director of Casinos Austria AG and Österreichische Lotterien and F1 Allwyn Global Community Award judge, reveals why Sindbad was chosen, why leaving a local legacy is important, and why Formula 1 aligns so well with a culture of mentoring.
This year's judging process was particularly competitive. What stood out to you?
"The first thing to say about being part of the panel to choose the winner of the second F1 Allwyn Global Community Award of 2026 is that it was not easy! The panel, which was made up of myself, experts, representatives of the local promoter and Formula 1, looked at the global picture to measure the applicants against similar initiatives around the world, and we looked at the local perspective to assess the depth of the impact being made. We then spent a lot of time arguing! We had exceptional applications this year and two of them were really, really close at the end."
Why did Sindbad ultimately emerge as the winner?
"In the end, however, the reason we chose Sindbad was because we felt mentoring 13 to 19-year-olds is hugely important. The programme aims to ensure that every young person, regardless of background, can make informed choices about their educational or professional pathway. Many of the young people involved come from troubled backgrounds or need support with self-esteem, and to receive guidance, to be able to see a possible future – in their work and how they want to live – is a fantastic resource.
"We know that positive mentoring has a very long-lasting effect and might even develop the leaders of tomorrow. In the end, it was the potential of that legacy that won the day for Sindbad."
How important was Sindbad's connection to the Austrian Grand Prix and the local community?
"It was also important that Sindbad is strongly connected to the region around the Red Bull Ring and the Austrian Grand Prix. The organisation began in Graz in 2016 and has since expanded throughout Austria and into Germany. The award of a €100,000 donation means they can mentor another 35, maybe even 40, young people over the next few years, which is really amazing.
"That was the background to this award, and having seen the impact Sindbad made at the race in Austria, and how their mentors and mentees responded to the environment, it confirmed to us all that we had made the right choice."
What role can Formula 1 play in supporting communities beyond race weekend?
"Formula 1 is an incredible platform on which to build and reward communities. This is a global sport, but it is deeply involved in race localities on a long-term basis. Multi-year contracts mean the sport has the potential either simply to arrive and take, or to embed itself in a region, town or city and truly connect with the community, understanding its needs and contributing.
"And that's what the F1 Allwyn Community Awards have been designed to do. The Awards give back to the communities in which Formula 1 and Allwyn are active, and they give a massive platform to organisations that are often really in need of recognition for the incredible work they do. They drive positive energy, new ideas and new initiatives."
What did it mean to see Sindbad's mentors and mentees experience Formula 1 first-hand?
"And that has certainly been the case with Sindbad. In Austria, we had a number of mentors and mentees at the track and in the paddock, and they were able to really connect with the kind of passion Formula 1 engenders, see how it pursues potential and maybe channel that into their own futures.
"I know two of the mentees we brought are very interested in engineering, while another is interested in hospitality, and I think F1 opened their eyes to avenues they previously might never have believed possible. And again, they also feel seen – they are important enough to be in that environment and they too have enormous potential."
Looking back, what has been the most rewarding aspect of the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award for you?
"For me, personally, that was the ultimate reward of being involved in the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award. At the macro level, a €100,000 donation is easy to see. But it's the micro effect that is most satisfying for us, for Formula 1 and, I hope, for Sindbad.
"It's about what it actually does for these kids and the long-term personal impact we can make. We really want to connect to what actually makes a difference. It's not about the system or the principle of the award. It's about connecting with individuals, supporting them and leaving the race region a legacy of integration, support and, ultimately, success."
What role can Formula 1 play in supporting communities beyond race weekend?
"Formula 1 is an incredible platform on which to build and reward communities. This is a global sport, but it is deeply involved in race localities on a long-term basis. Multi-year contracts mean the sport has the potential either simply to arrive and take, or to embed itself in a region, town or city and truly connect with the community, understanding its needs and contributing.
"And that's what the F1 Allwyn Community Awards have been designed to do. The Awards give back to the communities in which Formula 1 and Allwyn are active, and they give a massive platform to organisations that are often really in need of recognition for the incredible work they do. They drive positive energy, new ideas and new initiatives."
What did it mean to see Sindbad's mentors and mentees experience Formula 1 first-hand?
"And that has certainly been the case with Sindbad. In Austria, we had a number of mentors and mentees at the track and in the paddock, and they were able to really connect with the kind of passion Formula 1 engenders, see how it pursues potential and maybe channel that into their own futures.
"I know two of the mentees we brought are very interested in engineering, while another is interested in hospitality, and I think F1 opened their eyes to avenues they previously might never have believed possible. And again, they also feel seen – they are important enough to be in that environment and they too have enormous potential."
Looking back, what has been the most rewarding aspect of the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award for you?
"For me, personally, that was the ultimate reward of being involved in the F1 Allwyn Global Community Award. At the macro level, a €100,000 donation is easy to see. But it's the micro effect that is most satisfying for us, for Formula 1 and, I hope, for Sindbad.
"It's about what it actually does for these kids and the long-term personal impact we can make. We really want to connect to what actually makes a difference. It's not about the system or the principle of the award. It's about connecting with individuals, supporting them and leaving the race region a legacy of integration, support and, ultimately, success."
