Lego Has Announced Its Most Ambitious F1 Project Yet, and It’s Not (Just) a Build Set

Like most car folk, I grew up playing with Lego sets, more than a few of which were of the four-wheeled variety. As far as licensed brands went, though, you were basically out of luck unless you were a Ferrari fan.

However, thanks to the recent explosion in popularity of Formula 1, you can now get a Lego likeness of everything on the grid from Aston Martin to Red Bull.

Moreover, the Speed Champions portfolio is extensive, and there are more than a few sets based on road cars that I would have thought to be way too niche to get a buildable brick form.

Lego

In any case, even these appeals to enthusiasts can’t compare to the project that Lego has just announced. It’s easily its most ambitious Formula 1 initiative yet.

Lego is going racing

That’s because Lego is taking to the track. As part of a multi-year partnership with F1 Academy, the brand will be fielding a team on the grid under the Lego Racing banner beginning with the 2026 season. 

Lego

As a female-only spec series, the F1 Academy aims to promote gender equality in motorsport by helping girls get behind the wheel. By getting in on the action, Lego hopes that it can inspire “young fans, especially girls to explore their motor racing passions, both on and off the track.”

Taking the hot seat will be 20-year-old Dutch driver Esmee Kosterman. Having become the first woman to win the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup series back in 2023, she subsequently made her F1 Academy debut as the wild card entry in Zandvoort last year.

Lego

Though the car will be identical to others on the grid in its performance — all are built on the Tatuus F4-T421 chassis and powered by Autotecnica 1.4-liter four-cylinders — it’ll bear a bold livery befitting its Lego Racing sponsorship.

Building the next generation 

While there’s no denying that some of the other F1 Academy teams bring even bigger names to the table (like Tommy Hilfiger, Red Bull Racing or McLaren, for instance), Lego’s involvement makes for some especially important news.

Lego

For one, the brand has done its homework.

According to a survey it conducted among girls living in the UK and the US, Lego found that an overwhelming 87 percent would like to see more opportunities in motorsport, while 75 percent think racing sounds exciting and 52 percent could see themselves as a driver one day.

Lego

In other words, the brand is getting in on the action at a pivotal time. Not only is the Formula 1 fanbase in general continuing to grow, but also specifically its female following.

Of course, what’s even more important is that Lego plays a hugely influential role in shaping children’s perception of motorsport through the various building sets that it offers. It’s why the fact that the brand is turning the Lego Racing F1 Academy car and its female driver into a set is the proverbial icing on the cake to the whole endeavor.

Lego

Pricing and availability

If you’d like to get your hands on the Lego Speed Champions F1 Academy Race Car set, it’s open now for pre-orders. Priced at $27.99, it’ll be available to purchase come March 2026.

Lego

Lego Speed Champions F1 Academy Race Car

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