Lego Formula One cars at Miami Grand Prix ignites F1 fever in SA
Each car, built from nearly 400,000 Lego bricks and weighing 1500kg, is a feat of design, able to reach speeds of up to 20 km/h.
Formula One (F1) fans worldwide and in South Africa were surprised to see toys on the starting grid at the F1 Miami Grand Prix in Miami, US, after Lego unveiled ten fully drivable, life-sized F1 cars.
In partnership with Formula 1, Lego created ten fully drivable big build cars – one for each team – which were driven by the top drivers in the world during the drivers' parade last week.
Engineering
Each car, built from nearly 400,000 Lego bricks and weighing 1500kg, is a feat of design, able to reach speeds of up to 20 km/h.
Designed by 26 designers, engineers, and Lego builders over 22,000 hours at the Kladno factory in the Czech Republic, these cars mirror the detail of actual F1 vehicles, from authentic Pirelli tyres to sponsor decals, and are inspired by the Lego Speed Champions range.
ALSO READ: What to do this weekend? Put your pedal to the metal with Lego at the mall
New possibilities
Julia Goldin, Chief Product and Marketing Officer at Lego, said they 'aim to explore new possibilities'.
'This latest creative feat is a true testament to that, marking an extraordinary collaboration between Lego, Formula 1 and its ten teams. We hope these creations inspire everyone to see that with imagination and a Lego brick, anything is possible.'
Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer at Formula 1, said that as a sport synonymous with innovation and pushing boundaries, it was a day of fun.
'It was amazing to see another first for our sport as the big builds made their way around the track in the hands of the best drivers in the world. Our partnership with Lego enables us to inject a lot of fun into the Grand Prix experience and engage new audiences.'
F1 fever in SA
The unveiling marked a number of firsts for Lego, including the first time the company produced multiple big drivable builds simultaneously and the first time multiple F1 drivers got behind the wheel of Lego cars simultaneously.
As F1 fever hits South Africa and a Grand Prix is expected in 2027, this was a groundbreaking moment worth celebrating for fans, and this visually spectacular activation being more than a global headline.
It represents a thrilling intersection of engineering, creativity, and sport, all values that resonate deeply with local families, young builders, and F1 enthusiasts.
Following the Miami Grand Prix, all ten Lego big builds will embark on a global tour, bringing families and kids closer together with appearances at future races and F1 calendar moments.
ALSO READ: Cape Town F1 Grand Prix proposal aims to build on World Cup legacy
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