London's Walkie Talkie building transformed with stunning F1 projection
London's famed Walkie Talkie building has been given a dazzling makeover with an impressive projection display, in honour of the nation's burgeoning passion for Formula 1. The spectacular visuals featured 35 custom F1 car liveries, including four created by well-known personalities such as presenter Natalie Pinkham, Pussycat Doll Ashley Roberts, dancer Nadiya Bychkova, and broadcaster Roman Kemp.
The eye-catching projection covered a whopping 4,250 square metres across the skyscraper. The stunt was in response to research from Formula 1 which revealed that around 16.7 million Brits – nearly a quarter of the population – now consider themselves big F1 fans.
It showed a significant increase in the number of female viewers of the sport, with women now making up 41 percent of UK fans.
The same study showed that F1 is attracting younger audiences as well – 42 percent of fans are under 35, a figure that has increased by 11 percentage points over the last seven years.
The projection was brought to life in collaboration with sponsor Lenovo, demonstrating the blend of sport, creativity, and state-of-the-art technology.
Louise Forbes from the tech firm expressed: "We're thrilled to unveil a world-first AI-driven projection experience on the iconic Fenchurch Building – bringing cutting-edge technology and bold creativity to the heart of London and igniting a new era of immersive marketing.
"We're constantly pushing the boundaries of what's possible and partnering with Formula 1 is the perfect showcase for that spirit of innovation."
This follows a record-breaking turnout of 500,000 fans at Silverstone earlier this month to witness the F1 spectacle at the British Grand Prix.
The event is believed to contribute significantly to the £12bn value that Formula 1 brings to the UK economy. However, the sport's popularity isn't just growing at the races or on television.
Additional research conducted by Formula 1 and Motorsport Network revealed that 61 percent of fans engage with F1 content daily – sourcing their fix through social media, YouTube, and Twitch.
And it's not just the race days they're tuning in for; 71 percent state that the high performance and precision of the sport are key reasons they identify as fans.
To further enhance fan engagement, Lenovo has introduced its #RaceToCreate web app, powered by Intel, which allows users to design their very own F1 car livery – from colours and patterns to personalised touches.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Herald Scotland
40 minutes ago
- The Herald Scotland
Beset by scandals on all sides, the BBC simply can't go on like this
So, does all this mean that the future of the BBC is in serious doubt? The top ten most watched programmes at Christmas were all BBC productions. And the concern is that if the Beeb ends up with police chalk marks around the edge of her body, will the likes of Gavin and Stacey ever be made again? And can we really knock a broadcasting service which, for £169.50 a year, regularly offers up exquisite drama in the form of Line of Duty, Blue Lights, The Gold, or This City Is Ours? And, seriously, who wants to stand up and say that comedy such as Motherland is infantile, or that Still Game isn't still funny? Read more Yes, our tastes are subjective. The BBC fan base reaches out to the widest tastes and demographics. And the task of winning viewers is ever demanding given that over 35s have their eyeballs glued to YouTube. It's hard to hold onto big numbers when you're narrowcasting on radio with programmes such as Loose Ends, Front Row and the Moral Maze, as clever and informative as these shows are. It's not hard to see why the BBC has its detractors. It's been quite obscene over the years to learn, for example, of the payments made to its presenters for appearing on a public service channel. Gary Lineker did a very decent job fronting the football but did he and his buddy Alan Shearer have to be paid £1.3m and £440k respectively? Did Zoe Ball's wages have to top half a million? But rampant stupidity over pay scales apart (how can political editor Chris Mason be paid 120k less than the professional northerner that is Vernon Kay?) what has to be factored in is that the BBC is trying to be all things to all people. So, is it fair when director General Tim Davie is hauled over the coals for the likes of the failure to edit a punk-rap band at a pop festival, or the bad behaviour of his cookery competition show presenters. Is it warranted? He has to trust his managers to get it right on the day, or the independent producers who sell their shows to the BBC. But clearly when things go wrong, those who hate the BBC (although there are still 24m who pay their licence) are ready to bury him. Yes, the BBC is accused of being right wing, drawing on right-leaning newspapers. But it's also attacked continually for being left wing by the right-wing media. It's also accused of bias by omission, of pursuing impartiality to such an extent that it fails to tackle the obvious for fear of creating upset. Scotland, as we know, is a divided country, with a continual propaganda war being raged on both sides. And doesn't the BBC all too often finds itself in a no-win situation? The BBC drew furious criticism after punk-rap duo Bob Vylan led the Glastonbury crowd in televised chants of 'Death to the IDF' (Image: free)What we should also remember is that Auntie continually holds herself up to account by the likes of Radio Four's Feedback, and in timely fashion this week Radio Scotland's Mornings show turned the focus on the issue of the public's trust of the BBC. This isn't to say the BBC can carry on as it is. There is a real question of accountability given the Byzantine management structure so laughable there has been comedy series (the BBC-made W1A) made about it. But it will have to change its corporate structure. Its imperialism (look at how BBC online news has impacted upon independent news) suggests it can be an architect of its own misfortune. And there is no longer a clear relationship between owning a television set and watching programmes. When the BBC was established 100 years ago, if you could have suggested that one day you'd be watching telly on your phone you would have been committed to a Gothic institution. However, in close years to come, young people won't wish to pay for Not Going Out or Alma's Not Normal. They won't care about the sublime shows fronted by the likes of Paul Gambaccini or Bob Harris or listen religiously to Woman's Hour. They won't laugh hard at the likes of Radio Scotland's Noising Off, Breaking the News or Off the Ball. (Yet, for that demographic the BBC is level pegging with Netflix and ahead of Disney.) Read more Some 60 per cent believe the current licence fee to be iniquitous, unpopular and regressive. Recent figures reveal some 300,000 more households have stopped paying their fee. Some say: privatise the BBC. But at what cost, literally and figuratively? Do you pay separately for television? Will this be broken down into channels? Will listeners sign up Radio Four, or Radio Scotland? Will there be a pay-per-view/listen subscription? Or do we take steps toward building a workforce and fee payer democracy at the BBC with a semi-elected board. Make it a charitable trust? It sounds beyond confusing. And the search for answers will create arguments on a monumental scale. But then again, isn't that the point of Auntie? Surely the mantle of being the best, most trustworthy broadcaster in the world is dependent upon continuous rammy, whether in the form of funding debate or demanding a far better class of cookery show presenter. Brian Beacom is a Herald arts writer, author and playwright
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
UK hidden gem beach is 'most beautiful yet underrated' and featured in Alan Partridge movie
Planning a summer getaway can be a daunting affair with sky-high flight prices, costly airport transfers, and steep accommodation costs, particularly in the likes of France. However, scores of Brits are choosing to forgo foreign jaunts this year, instead opting to uncover hidden gems right here on home turf. For a top-notch staycation spot that's stirring quite the buzz, take a trip eastward to the charms of Norfolk's coastline. Norfolk boasts an array of stunning coastal scenery, from Holkham's sprawling sands to Wells-next-the-Sea's extensive quay, yet it's the buzzing heart of north Norfolk drawing crowds: Cromer. Known far and wide for its exquisite crabs, Cromer is capturing attention as a prime destination in its own regard. The quintessential seaside town of Cromer sits proudly atop dramatic cliffs, enveloped by the region's lush woodland and countryside – providing visitors with epic vistas across the North Sea. Cromer's crown jewel is its celebrated Victorian pier in the town's centre, a hub of entertainment where guests can savour a show at the Pavillion Theatre, revel in arcade games, or simply meander along taking in the atmosphere; the very same pier also garnered fame in Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, reports the Express. So captivating is Cromer Pier that it snagged the prestigious title of Pier of the Year last year from the National Piers Society, who cited its enormous appeal due to the impeccable upkeep of its traditional Victorian aesthetics and the incredible sea views it affords. For those with a passion for literature, the charming line from Jane Austen's Emma might ring a bell: "You should have gone to Cromer... the best of all the sea bathing places. A fine open sea... and very pure air." Arthur Conan Doyle, famed creator of Sherlock Holmes, drew inspiration from Cromer's local legends, particularly the tale of the spectral hound Black Shuck, which became the basis for his renowned novel The Hound of the Baskervilles. What's on offer in Cromer? Visitors have been left spellbound by the beach, with one enthusiast taking to Google Reviews to proclaim it "the most beautiful yet underrated beach". Praise continues to pour in from another reviewer who expressed: "Beautiful town and beach. The beach was almost empty despite it being the school holidays. Beautiful town with both local independent shops and larger chains." Another visitor shared their enchantment, commenting: "It's the loveliest town I've ever visited... great atmosphere and fantastic fish and chips." Cromer is a treasure trove of unique boutique shops, quaint cafes, and delightful bakeries, perfect for a leisurely afternoon stroll. For those keen on a more vigorous activity, the picturesque Norfolk Coastal Path offers a journey through sand dunes and lush countryside. Sampling the celebrated fresh Cromer Crab is an essential experience for any foodie visiting the area. And if you're craving some traditional fish and chips, No. 1 Cromer, owned by Michelin-starred chef Galton Blackiston, boasts stunning views of the coast and pier.
BBC News
4 hours ago
- BBC News
Formula 1 teams compete in charity football match in Brackley
The Mercedes and Aston Martin Formula 1 teams have taken each other on in men's and women's charity football games were held at the National League ground St James Park in Brackley, Northamptonshire, on Thursday. Mercedes F1 team won the men's match 3-2, while Aston Martin's women's team won their game Town Football Club, who put on the games, said it was "delighted to host the match between two great teams raising money for great charities". The matches were in aid of the hospice charity, Helen & Douglas House, and Northamptonshire Health Charity. Mercedes said on social media there was some "fantastic sporting action" during the games and Aston Martin thanked everyone who came and donated to the was the third year Mercedes F1 has played a charity match against Silverstone-based Aston Martin & Douglas House, which cares for terminally ill babies, children, and young people, is the charity partner of Mercedes F1, which has its headquarters in Health Charity raises money for supporting hospitals and health service in the county. Follow Northamptonshire news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
