Formula 1 has come up with a new way to attract American fans by swapping out the traditional driver parade truck for bespoke LEGO cars at the Miami Grand Prix. Each team now has its own LEGO replica car that the drivers will use for the parade lap before the race on Sunday.

These LEGO cars are built to be as close to the real F1 cars as possible, using nearly 400,000 LEGO bricks each. They are designed in the individual colors of the teams, complete with the correct livery and sponsors. As part of F1’s partnership with LEGO, the cars will complete a full lap of the track at Miami Gardens.

LEGO Group’s chief product and marketing officer, Julia Goldin, expressed excitement about the partnership, stating that it will bring the spectacle of F1 closer to fans through LEGO play and building. The drivers, including stars like Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Lando Norris, were impressed by the LEGO cars, which weigh 1000kg and can reach speeds up to 20kph.

During the parade, drivers had fun driving their LEGO cars and even joked about using them as “bumper cars.” Some drivers tried to overtake each other, adding a competitive element to the parade. Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen both commented on the experience, with Hamilton calling it the most fun drivers parade they’ve ever had.

The LEGO cars are based on the LEGO F1 Speed Champions range and were created by a team of designers and engineers at LEGO’s site in the Czech Republic. Overall, the new LEGO cars added a unique and entertaining element to the race weekend in Miami.

As a recent journalism grad, I’m not really sure why this matters, but Formula 1’s decision to use LEGO cars for the driver parade at the Miami Grand Prix sure made for an interesting spectacle. The drivers seemed to have a blast driving their LEGO replicas around the track, with some even attempting to overtake each other. It’s not something you see every day at an F1 race, that’s for sure.

Maybe it’s just me, but I feel like the addition of LEGO cars added a fun and lighthearted touch to the event. The drivers’ reactions and playful banter during the parade showed that they were enjoying themselves. It’s moments like these that remind us that F1 is not just about fierce competition but also about having some fun along the way.

Overall, the partnership between F1 and LEGO seems to have been a success, bringing joy to both longtime fans of the sport and newcomers. The LEGO cars may not have been the fastest or most high-tech vehicles on the track, but they definitely brought a smile to everyone’s face. And hey, who wouldn’t want to see their favorite F1 driver waving from a LEGO car?

In conclusion, the LEGO cars at the Miami Grand Prix added a playful and entertaining element to the race weekend. It was a refreshing change from the usual driver parade, and it’s safe to say that fans and drivers alike had a great time with this unique addition. Who knows what other surprises Formula 1 has in store for us in the future?