Sonic The Hedgehog Is McLaren's Newest Brand Ambassador, Even Though He's Faster On Foot
Who's Lando Norris? Move over, McLaren has a new brand ambassador, and he's one of the most dashing, debonair, and well loved celebrities on the entire planet. No, not Brad Pitt — we're talking about none other than Sonic the Hedgehog. A video game hero since the early 1990s, Sonic has officially inked a deal with McLaren Racing. This makes his parent company SEGA the "Official Gaming Partner of McLaren Racing."
This actually isn't the first time Sonic and the House of Papaya have crossed paths. Way back in 1993, when Sonic was all the rage, he was no less than the actual trophy at the European Grand Prix, won by McLaren's own legend, Ayrton Senna. But that was back when the hedgehog was young. Now he's all grown up, and while his archrival Mario remains stuck in karting leagues, the big blue boy has made it all the way to Formula 1. Even though he's faster on foot. What a champ.
Read more: Every 2025 Formula 1 Livery, Ranked From Worst To Best
McLaren says that the partnership with SEGA will bring "creative integrations and experiences that fuse the worlds of motorsport and gaming, and engage audiences of all ages both on the grid and screen." Oscar Piastri as a character in the next Sonic racing game, maybe? Certainly, as F1 flirts with esports and the video game world more, a direct pairing between the two industries makes sense. Both companies also have big milestones next year: Sonic turns 35 (I remember when he was just a pup!), and McLaren will race in its 1,000th Grand Prix.
In fact, the joint festivities begin as soon as next week. The orange-shirted ones will descend on Trafalgar Square for McLaren Racing Live: London on July 2-3. Netflix heartthrob Zak Brown will be there, as well as some classic McLaren cars, Q&A sessions with team members, and, of course, merch. SEGA will be there, too.
The real question, naturally, will be whether or not Sonic becomes a trophy again. No word on that one, but if you just believe, it will happen. As to when the first Green Hill Zone Grand Prix will be, you'd have to check the 2026 F1 calendar.
Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox...
Read the original article on Jalopnik.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
14 minutes ago
- Yahoo
🏥Medical update: Alaba sidelined again for Real Madrid
Without a doubt, David Alaba's physical condition has become a constant at Real Madrid, and now he has a new ailment. After medical tests carried out by the medical services of the merengue team, it has been diagnosed that he has a muscle injury in the calf of his left leg. Advertisement Sign up for DAZN to watch all FIFA Club World Cup matches for FREE While the statement does not give an official date for his return, COPE confirms that he could be out for three weeks. In other words, his presence at the Club World Cup has already been ruled out. This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. 📸 CHANDAN KHANNA - AFP or licensors
Yahoo
43 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Sophie Turner, Peregrine Pearson Step Out Amid Breakup Rumors
Originally appeared on E! Online Sophie Turner won't allow a negative cosmic force to control her love life. Nearly two months after rumors circulated that the Dark Phoenix star, 29, split from boyfriend Peregrine Pearson, the couple recently stepped out together in England. Indeed, Sophie and the British aristocrat—who started dating in October 2023—enjoyed a casual dinner out in London on June 19. The two kept their outfits cozy, with the Game of Thrones star sporting a gray top, black shorts and sandals. Peregrine, 30, matched her vibe and wore a white top with khaki pants. Their latest sighting is notable, considering the couple hadn't been seen together publicly since January. At the time, Sophie—who shares daughters Willa, 4, and Delphine, 2, with ex Joe Jonas—shared her favorite memories with Peregrine on Instagram. More from E! Online Jennifer Garner and John Miller Share Rare Kiss During Just As Rare Outing How Much Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders Make After 400 Percent Pay Increase Allison Holker Was an 'Almond Mom' to Daughter Weslie 'Bye bye 2024,' she wrote on the post, which featured a photo of the couple relaxing on a boat and playfully posing in the bathroom. 'A pic a month.' And while he didn't appear in any of Sophie's subsequent posts, the breakup rumors didn't officially start until April, when fans noticed she seemingly unfollowed him on Instagram. The two haven't addressed their activity on social media, but Sophie has been focused on another important gem in her life: her family and co-parenting journey with her ex. In fact, the pair proved their dynamic is solid, as the X-Men alum congratulated Joe—who got divorced in September 2023 after four years of marriage—on the release of his Music for People Who Believe in Love EP in May. Shortly after that sweet shoutout, the Jonas Brothers singer gave Sophie her flowers for being an 'incredible mom' to their two daughters. 'I have a beautiful coparenting relationship that I'm really grateful for,' Joe, 35, revealed on Jay Shetty's On Purpose Live Tour May 23. 'Having an incredible mom, Sophie, for those girls is like a dream come true. As young girls, looking up to great women is what I want for them.' And as Sophie continues to show up for her family, it seems she also has Peregrine in her corner. Keep reading to see more moments in their sweet romance… Sealed with a KissWinter is HereCamera ReadyCity of LoveTable for TwoDate NightHomeward BoundVacation Vibes For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Rod Stewart says country should ‘give Farage a chance'
Sir Rod Stewart has called on Britain to 'give Nigel Farage a chance' as he revealed how close he came to pulling out of his Glastonbury appearance. The 80-year-old singer backed the Reform UK leader ahead of appearing in the festival's afternoon legends slot on Sunday, 23 years after he headlined the Pyramid Stage. 'I've read about (Sir Keir) Starmer cutting off the fishing in Scotland and giving it back to the EU. That hasn't made him popular,' he told The Times. 'We're fed up with the Tories. We've got to give Farage a chance. He's coming across well. Nigel? What options have we got? 'Starmer's all about getting us out of Brexit and I don't know how he's going to do that. Still, the country will survive. It could be worse. We could be in the Gaza Strip.' Admitting his wealth ensures 'a lot of it doesn't really touch me', he insisted he is not out of touch and expressed his support for Ukraine – criticising US President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance for their treatment of Ukrainian President Volodomyr Zelensky on his visit to the White House – and Gaza. 'It's depressing, what's going on in the Gaza Strip,' he said. 'Netanyahu doesn't realise that this is what happened to his people under the Nazis: total annihilation. And Trump is going to turn the Gaza Strip into Miami?' Stewart said a prolonged bout of flu, which forced him to cancel five shows in the US, nearly forced him to withdraw from a Glastonbury appearance he described to ITV as his 'World Cup final'. 'This time last week I was thinking of cancelling,' he told The Sun, crediting his wife Penny Lancaster with nursing him back to health. 'I have had Influenza A. It's been so terrible. It's the worst thing anyone could possibly have, I wouldn't wish it on anyone. 'Apart from (Vladimir) Putin. I'd wish it on him.' Stewart told The Sun he had negotiated an extra quarter of an hour on top of the allotted 75 minutes for his set. He confirmed he will be joined at Glastonbury by former Faces bandmate Ronnie Wood, Simply Red's Mick Hucknall and Lulu, as well as performing the song Powderfinger by Saturday headliner Neil Young.
