Some controversy surrounds this weekend’s upcoming British Grand Prix, with at least two drivers having criticised a planned LEGO F1 minicars race.
This weekend marks the British Grand Prix 2026 at Silverstone on July 5, with the event set to include all 22 Formula 1 drivers competing in custom-built LEGO minicars. However, Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton and Red Bull’s Max Verstappen have criticised the planned race, with Hamilton telling former team-mate Valtteri Bottas this week that, “I’m not doing it.”
Ferrari has since confirmed that the driver will in fact still be taking part in the LEGO event at the British Grand Prix, with a post on social media that read, “Ready for more LEGO chaos on Sunday.”
The LEGO F1 race is due to replace the traditional Drivers’ Parade this weekend, which typically allows fans to glimpse all 22 drivers together on the track before the Grand Prix kicks off at 3pm BST, and follows the success of Miami Grand Prix Drivers' Parade in 2025.
Instead, this year each driver will get to sit in their own brick-built car, which a team of more than 20 designers assembled from a total of over 616,000 LEGO pieces, with the vehicles weighing roughly 65kg and capable of speeds of up to 25km/h.
Following Hamilton’s initial comments, four-time world champion Verstappen spoke to Viaplay to reveal his thoughts on the LEGO F1 race and how he felt about Sunday’s planned promotional event.
“I prefer to play with LEGO at home, you know, with the kids,” said Verstappen. “Not on a go-kart here, to be honest. I prefer to stand on a truck, just with everyone together. I think that's more fun, and I think it also looks more professional."
"At the end of the day, we are Formula One drivers, I think we should not look like kids and clowns trying to ram into each other. I don't think that is what Formula One needs, but it is what it is."
It’s not all negativity regarding the LEGO F1 race though, with at least one driver looking forward to hitting the track in his brick-built vehicle and planning to enjoy all the fun of the pre-race activity.
"If it's like Miami was then, I think whoever can make it back to the start line will be a winner already,” said McLaren’s Lando Norris to Sky News. “As long as it's safe and we all behave, which we shall, then it will be a jolly good ride."
Support the work that Brick Fanatics does by purchasing your LEGO using our affiliate links. Thanks!
Comments
Be the first to comment!