Austrian endurance racer Ferdinand Habsburg, great‑grandson of Emperor Charles I of Austria, is once again giving deeper meaning to the legendary 24 Hours of Le Mans. Through his Race for Meals campaign, every lap he completes on June 13–14, 2026 will help feed children supported by Mary’s Meals, a global charity serving more than 3 million children across 16 countries — including Malawi, Ethiopia, India, Haiti, Kenya, Lebanon, and more.
A Simple Idea That Works
Mary’s Meals provides one daily meal in schools where hunger and poverty often block the path to education. Local communities own and run the programs, and wherever possible, meals are made with locally sourced food — strengthening both children’s futures and local economies. The impact is clear: enrolment, attendance, concentration, and participation all improve when children receive Mary’s Meals.
The global average cost to feed a child for a full school year is just €22 ($25.20 USD / £19.15) — the same amount supporters are invited to pledge per lap Habsburg completes.
Beyond Racing, Toward Hope
In 2025, Race for Meals helped provide meals for 1,760 children. This year, Habsburg is aiming higher, hoping to support three schools in Malawi. Ahead of the season, he visited Mary’s Meals’ program there, meeting pupils and teachers and witnessing firsthand how a simple plate of food can transform lives.
“I sat with four‑year‑olds in class, eating together on the floor,” Habsburg recalled. “It struck me that €22 — the price of my breakfast — could feed a child for an entire year.”
The Challenge Ahead
As one of Mary’s Meals’ Youth Ambassadors in Austria, Habsburg is calling on fans and supporters to join him. By sponsoring his laps, they can help turn endurance racing into a lifeline for children in need. The countdown is on: can he surpass last year’s 385 laps and bring hope to even more children through Race for Meals?