fbpx
Culture > Play

Formula 1 and Hot Wheels collaborate once again

Hard to imagine the 2 brands wouldn’t

The LVMH Group signing with Formula 1 means we should start seeing a huge shake-up in sponsors for the sport. PHOTO FROM FORMULA 1

At the start of this month, LVMH signed a 10-year deal to become a global partner of Formula 1 in 2025. LVMH has 75 brands in its stable, including TAG Heuer and Moët Hennessy.

TAG Heuer will most likely replace Rolex as the official timekeeper of the sport, while Moët & Chandon will most likely replace Ferrari Trento as the provider of the bubbly for the podium. Both brands have a rich history in Formula 1.

TAG Heuer became the official timekeeper in 1992 until 2003. The watchmaker’s involvement in F1 dates back to 1975 when it supplied timekeeping equipment to Ferrari. It then became an iconic sponsor to McLaren in 1985. In 2016, it became the official partner of Red Bull Racing.

Rolex and Ferrari Trento have been around the paddock for a long time now. PHOTOS FROM FORMULA 1

Moët & Chandon, meanwhile, was the champagne of choice in 1966 through 1999, and once again in 2020.

Rolex has been the official timekeeper for the past 12 seasons, and Ferrari Trento has been the sparkling wine provider since 2021.

This is how the latest Hot Wheels collaboration looks like, and it also comes with interchangeable tire compounds. PHOTO FROM HOT WHEELS

A week later, another partnership was announced—with Hot Wheels. The partnership starts with a limited-edition collaboration 1:64 die-cast F1 car with Hot Wheels racing livery and the number 68 (the year Hot Wheels started) on the nose, and F1 badging below the number, the airbox, and the front- and rear-wing endplates.

Some of the past Hot Wheels-Formula 1 collaborations in 1:64 scale. PHOTO BY JASON DELA CRUZ

The car is a bespoke F1 casting with a full-metal chassis. Perhaps the most exciting part is that it comes with three sets of interchangeable Pirelli tires, marked red, yellow, and white—just like an F1 car.

This will be followed by a full range of F1 cars released in 2025. With the collaboration, you can expect the Hot Wheels brand to be present at Grands Prix.

Bet you didn't know that Hot Wheels also made larger die-cast cars. PHOTOS BY JASON DELA CRUZ

The Hot Wheels-F1 partnership, however, is not exactly new. The Hot Wheels Racing/Grand Prix 1:64 series started in 1999 and ran until 2008, while 1:43 and 1:18 scale models continued on till 2014, which was also the year the license with Ferrari ended.

The 1:64 casting continued past 2008, but with Hot Wheels graphics rather than proper F1 teams’ liveries. With the two brands collaborating once again, this is what the sport’s fans and die-cast collectors will surely be expecting.

In the past, Hot Wheels would also make special-edition releases in larger scales. PHOTOS BY JASON DELA CRUZ

And hopefully, the return to 1:43 and 1:18 scales, with special releases like first wins and drivers’ championships, just like before.

Two major partnerships for 2025 and beyond were announced shortly after the other. Seems like Formula 1 timed it for its 75th anniversary next year.



Jason Dela Cruz

Jason is a veteran member of the motoring community, having worked as an automotive journalist and a car industry executive. He is now based in Cebu, where the car culture is vibrant.



Comments