Lightning McQueen rolls onto the Monza track as F1 extends Disney deal to 2028

Lightning McQueen made his Formula 1 track debut at Monza during the Italian Grand Prix weekend, appearing as an official track vehicle as part of a newly extended multi-year partnership between Formula 1 and Disney. The collaboration, branded the “Fuel the Magic” campaign, has now been extended through to the end of 2028.

The Cars character’s appearance marks the first time the Pixar franchise has featured in the partnership, timed to coincide with the 20th anniversary of the original film. Previous activations under the deal had centred on Mickey & Friends, most notably a performance at the Bellagio Fountains during the Las Vegas Grand Prix weekend in 2025.

Photos from Monza spread rapidly across social media, with much of the reaction centring on Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson, who is well known among fans for his affection for the Cars franchise. “Liam’s currently sprinting towards the track,” one fan wrote on Reddit, while another added: “I love how everyone’s immediate thought is QUICK WHERE’S LIAM? He’s never going to escape this one.”

F1 chief commercial officer Emily Prazer pointed to the partnership’s early success as the driving force behind its extension. “The success of our partnership with Disney has demonstrated what’s possible when two globally loved brands come together around a shared vision for creativity, storytelling and fan engagement,” she said.

“Extending our relationship reflects the strength of that collaboration, and our ambition to continue creating new experiences for fans around the world. For many fans, Cars was an early introduction to the thrill of racing, making this collaboration a fun way to celebrate the enduring appeal of the sport through characters that generations have come to know and love.”

The Italian GP weekend activation also includes a co-branded merchandise collection combining Formula 1 imagery with Disney and Pixar’s Cars aesthetic, which Prazer described as “a natural next step” for the partnership.