The Grand Prix of Italy will have a very special guest this weekend. Rayo McQueen, the protagonist of the film Cars, will arrive on the Monza circuit to make an honorary tour as part of the celebration of the 20th anniversary of the film's premiere.
Formula 1 and Disney have joined forces to commemorate the two decades of the first Cars film, a production that brought the world of racing closer to millions of fans.
For his visit to Monza, Rayo McQueen will have a design inspired by Formula 1, while the Mercedes-AMG safety car will also have a special image related to the Disney universe.
The collaboration between F1 and Disney is part of an initiative that seeks to connect motorsport with new generations of fans.
“The success of our partnership with Disney has demonstrated what is possible when two worldwide-loved brands unite around a shared vision of creativity, narrative and engagement with fans,” said Emily Prazer, commercial director of F1.
Rayo McQueen, a character his voice gives to Owen Wilson, first appeared on the big screen in 2006.
“For many fans, Cars was an early introduction to the excitement of racing, making this collaboration a fun way to celebrate the enduring attractiveness of the sport through characters that generations have come to know and love,” Prazer added.
to ? The Safety Car is getting a Cars makeover for Monza! ? to Lightning McQueen is fully functional and has already completed a lap of the circuit with the lights flashing and everything. F1 and Italian GP. pic.twitter.com/PIeYUE5uCF
The presence of the character at the Grand Prix of Italy will have two different representations.
The first will be a McQueen Lightning-scale vehicle, equipped with emergency lights, which has already made several laps over the Monza circuit.
The second will be an official Formula 1 car with elements inspired by the famous car number 95, including calcomanias that make reference to the character of Cars.
Within the Disney universe, Rayo McQueen is seven-time Piston Cup champion, so his arrival on one of the most recognized circuits in the F1 calendar represents a particular encounter between fiction and automobile.
The collaboration will not be limited to the Grand Prix of Italy. Disney and Formula 1 will also present new Cars-inspired merchandise as part of the “Fuel the Magic” campaign.
The initiative will be active during 2027 and 2028, with different actions aimed at bringing Disney’s universe closer to Formula 1 fans.
One of the drivers who showed the most enthusiasm for the arrival of Rayo McQueen to Monza was Franco Colapinto.
The grid driver took the opportunity to photograph himself alongside the Cars character, making it clear that even the protagonists of Formula 1 have their own idols within the world of racing.
The famous Cars character appeared on the Monza circuit before the Grand Prix of Italy, as part of a collaboration between Disney and Formula 1 for the 20 years of the film. Did the pilarense see it and was eager to go up? pic.twitter.com/3C7z5qlA0D
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