LEGO Is Launching a (Real) F1 Car, With 'LEGO Racing' Joining the F1 ACADEMY Grid in 2026 – hypebeast.com
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As the Las Vegas Grand Prix week gets into gear, The LEGO Group and F1 ACADEMY have announced a multi-year partnership that will see an all-new LEGO Racing car – piloted by Dutch driver Esmee Kosterman – join the grid for 2026.
Unveiled in the pitlane of the Las Vegas Strip Circuit, the duo’s new partnership becomes one of most significant brand collaborations to enter the all-female series since its 2023 launch. The deal will also see the release of the first official F1 ACADEMY LEGO Speed Champions set, which is now available for pre-order.
The 2026 season will also mark Esmee Kosterman’s first full season in the championship. The 20-year-old racer, who made her F1 ACADEMY debut last year as a Wild Card at her home race in Zandvoort, arrives with strong form across junior categories, which includes an historic win in the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup.
Kosterman’s new car features an exclusive LEGO Racing livery created by The LEGO Group’s in-house team, merging motorsport iconography with LEGO’s playful colors and design language. The pattern incorporates LEGO-inspired shapes and a stylised checkered motif across both the car and driver suit, blending real-world performance with the creativity associated with the brand.
The partnership arrives at a time when F1’s audience is expanding quickly – particularly among women, who now account for 42% of the global fanbase, according to research from The LEGO Group. The same research also points to growing interest in motorsport among young girls, with 87% wanting to see more opportunities for women in the sport – and over half saying that can imagine themselves as drivers. The collaboration aims to support that momentum by increasing visibility, representation and access to motorsport culture.
The first product from the partnership – the LEGO Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY LEGO Race Car – includes 201 pieces, aerodynamic detailing, Esmee’s #32 race number and a matching minifigure in the LEGO Racing colorway. The set is designed to bring the F1 ACADEMY grid into the hands of younger fans while reflecting the championship’s focus on developing female talent.
At this weekend’s inaugural F1 ACADEMY event at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, LEGO will also be presenting podium finishers with custom LEGO Botanicals Bouquets – each of includes over 2,000 elements in its build.
Head to LEGO’s website now to pre-order the upcoming set or learn more about the partnership.
And stay tuned to Hypebeast for more from this year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix…
