McLaren World Championship Winning Team Manager’s DonatedVehicle Filmed Defending Kyiv from Drone Attacks

Press Release...06/09/25

A pickup truck donated by Alastair Caldwell, the former McLaren Formula 1 team managerbehind world championship wins in the 1970s, has been filmed in Kyiv actively defending the cityfrom incoming Russian drones on the night of the 2nd of September.

The vehicle, supplied viathe Oxfordshire-based charity Driving Ukraine, is seen within the Kyiv Air Defence Forces,actively positioned with the Irpin mobile fire group to identify, track and neutralise incomingrussian drones headed for countries capital city.

This same vehicle, identified as Hilux FG11 ZGR, was delivered to Ukraine earlier this year byAlastair and his co-driver Angus within the 45th convoy from the group Driving Ukraine. Duringthat trip, Caldwell was awarded a golden medal by Lviv City Council in recognition of hisextraordinary support for Ukraine.

Since the beginning of the full-scale invasion, he has donated over £100,000, including proceeds from the auction of four classic cars from his personalcollection, a sum which was split between Driving Ukraine and Thames Hospice.Links to those auctioned vehicles are here:

● 1982 Porsche 928 Coupé

● 1961 BMW 700 Saloon

● 1981 Toyota FJ40 Land Cruiser

● 1967 Citroën DS19 Pallas Saloon

Before his work with Driving Ukraine, Alastair Caldwell had cemented his place in motorsporthistory. He began his career in 1967 as a fabricator at McLaren, quickly rising through the ranksto become team manager, overseeing world championship victories with Emerson Fittipaldi in 1974 and James Hunt in 1976.

Under Caldwell’s management innovations were brought to theM23 such as the six-speed gearbox, the air starter, and early ground effects with the skirts, allhelping define McLaren’s dominance.

On the night of 3 October 2025, days after the new school year began in Ukraine, Russianforces launched yet another barrage on Ukraine. Across the country, air defence units destroyed451 out of 526 airborne targets, including 430 Shahed-type UAVs. In Kyiv, among the city’smobile fire groups was Caldwell’s donated pickup, FG11 ZGR, assigned to the Irpin VolunteerUnit of the Kyiv Air Defence Forces.

Video footage shows the vehicle in action as soldiersengaged the drones, preventing them from reaching residential areas.Caldwell has been a consistent supporter of Driving Ukraine since its inception and beyondfinancial donations, he personally joined Driving Ukraine on this convoy mission in July 2025 todeliver the life-saving vehicle across Europe to Ukraine’s defenders.

Founded by Oxfordshire resident Fynn Watt, Driving Ukraine has grown into one of the UK’smost impactful grassroots responses to the war. Since 2022, the charity has raised £1.6 million,delivered 249 vehicles, and mobilised over 1,500 volunteers. The organisation’s work has beenrecognised by both King Charles III and senior Ukrainian military leaders, including GeneralValerii Zaluzhnyi, the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and Kyrylo Budanov.

Quote from Fynn Watt:“Since the beginning, Driving Ukraine has been about action, not standing and watching.Alastair’s career and life was all about this too, his support shows how one person’s commitmentcan protect cities.

This vehicle represents our mission, turning generosity and courage intolife-saving action. Notes to EditorsDriving Ukraine is a UK-based volunteer organisation founded in Oxfordshire. It has raised over £1.6 million, delivered 249 vehicles, and organised 47 convoys to Ukraine. The charity haspartnered with Motorsport UK, Microsoft UK, Silverstone, and ProDrive. Coverage includes BBCNews, Sky News, and Times Radio.