F1 selfies star in charity auction

Now in its fifth year, and having had the backing of F1 drivers, chiefs and team principals, the ZOOM auction is helping raise money for the Starlight Children's Foundation.

The auction offers fans the chance to buy signed photographs taken by F1's leading figures over 2016 – with a host of top names including world champion Rosberg, Lewis Hamilton, Bernie Ecclestone, Daniel Ricciardo, and Max Verstappen having contributed.

McLaren racing director Eric Boullier has submitted a picture of him gathered with fellow team chiefs Christian Horner from Red Bull, Toto Wolff, from Maurizio Arrivabene and Gunther Steiner.

He said of the image: "First ever Team Principals selfie!"

Nico Rosberg, selected photograph

Photo by: Nico Rosberg

Rosberg has also submitted a selfie taken in the moments after he won the Italian Grand Prix at Monza in September.

"The podium in Monza was a very emotional moment. My first victory there, everywhere the incredible tifosi," he said. "We sung together, which was pure goosebumps-feeling. Afterwards I asked Sebastian if we could do a selfie together with our physios. Spontaneously he said yes which lead to this great snapshot."

Other images that have been submitted include Raikkonen's rain visor, a Verstappen scenic shot above Monaco and a picture from Hamilton of a sunset on the islands of Turks and Caicos.

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari selected photograph

Photo by: Kimi Raikkonen

Since it was launched at the end of 2012, the ZOOM Auction has raised almost £100,000 for charity.

As well as a gala auction taking place in London on Friday night, other images will be available as part of an online auction over the next few weeks.

Bernie Ecclestone has long been a supporter of the ZOOM event.

"ZOOM is a super project," he said. "We are proud to be supporting it again, helping to raise money for charity while showing what the stars of F1 get up to away from the TV cameras. We're also very pleased to welcome ZOOM's new charity partner, Starlight Children's Foundation.

"They do a fantastic job making sick children's dreams come true and it's great to see the kids every year at the Monaco Grand Prix. It's good to have them on board."

Further details of the auction and available photographs can be found at www.zoom-f1.com