Hot Wheels and F1 Team Up: Limited Edition Die-Cast Model Bringing the Thrill of Formula 1 Racing to Your Collection!

Posted on 09/10/2024 by Vincent Nguyen

Hot Wheels has leaped into the high-octane world of Formula 1, bringing the excitement of F1 racing into your home, combining the precision of motorsport with the signature thrill of Hot Wheels. This limited-edition collaboration brings the thrill of Formula 1 racing to a die-cast model. It’s a miniaturized piece of racing history featuring custom livery, real Pirelli tire compounds, and an F1-inspired tire rack that gives collectors an authentic taste of the pit lane experience. Let’s break down the details that make this partnership a must-have for collectors and racing fans.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

Designer: Hot Wheels x F1

A Design That Thrills

The Hot Wheels x F1 collaboration showcases a collector’s die-cast that combines the signature Hot Wheels aesthetic with the bold and dynamic spirit of Formula 1. It’s a blend of speed, style, and nostalgia, engineered down to the smallest detail to capture the imagination of racing enthusiasts and Hot Wheels collectors alike. The base color of the car is a clean metallic silver, accented by bold Hot Wheels graphics that snake across the bodywork, emphasizing movement and energy. The contrast between the glossy black highlights and bright red accents gives the model a sharp, eye-catching appearance, making it a centerpiece worthy of any collection.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

Unique to this model is the number “68” emblazoned on the nose, marking the year Hot Wheels debuted in 1968. This thoughtful detail connects the present to the brand’s history, reminding fans of the origins of Hot Wheels. The car also features bespoke Real Rider wheels with interchangeable tires inspired by the actual tire compounds used in F1—whether it’s the soft, medium, or hard options seen in real Grand Prix races. The inclusion of different tire colors—red, yellow, and white—is visually exciting, it adds an interactive element that brings the thrill of F1 race strategy to life.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

Wheels That Tell a Story

The interchangeable tire set is a detail that speaks to the thoughtfulness of this collaboration. The wheels are designed to reflect the technical precision of F1 while maintaining the fun flair of Hot Wheels. Each tire features Pirelli’s “P Zero” branding, emphasizing its role as the official tire supplier of Formula 1. This ensures the model’s authenticity and direct connection to the real-world sport. This branding lends an air of authenticity as if the miniature car has just rolled off the paddock of a Grand Prix weekend.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

The color coding of the tires—red for soft, yellow for medium, and white for hard—perfectly mirrors the real tire strategies used in Formula 1. As Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of Formula 1, put it, ‘The exciting collaboration will bring together the adrenaline of motor racing and the excitement of toy cars, providing opportunities to see the fine details that go into an F1 car, all in the palm of your hand.’ This combination of detail and play makes it an immersive experience. This adds another layer of depth for collectors, giving them a hands-on connection to the sport’s tactical nuances. The tire detail doesn’t stop there; each tire features an industrial, machined aesthetic with small rivet-like details around the central hub. It’s a rugged, functional look that pays homage to the no-nonsense engineering of an F1 car, offering just the right balance of realism and fantasy.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

The Ultimate Tire Rack Accessory

The tire rack that comes with this set is a thoughtfully designed display piece right in your living room. As Stanichi mentioned, ‘We have put together a program that allows kids to replicate the thrill of F1 racing where they can drive like the pros and engages with our loyal communities on a global scale.’ This sentiment shines through in the tire rack design, making the entire set feel complete, like a miniature slice of a real F1 paddock.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

The red F1 logo stamped on the tire rack seamlessly complements the rest of the color scheme, creating a cohesive visual identity throughout. This display element is a key reason why this is a complete collector’s piece that tells a story, from the track to the pit lane.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

Precision Meets Play and A Celebration of Racing Passion

Hot Wheels’ collaboration with Formula 1 creates a model that reflects the intricacies of motorsport. The aerodynamic front wing, featuring Hot Wheels flames, and the halo device are designed to reflect the performance-focused nature of Formula 1 cars, emphasizing safety and speed. The model features a full-metal body and chassis, giving it a satisfying weight that makes it feel substantial in hand. The metallic silver paint shimmers under the light, adding a level of detail you’d expect from a display model, not just a toy.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

The rear wing is designed with a broad span and intricate details, replicating the aerodynamic focus of a real F1 car. The Hot Wheels logo is placed prominently on the rear wing, reinforcing the collaboration’s emphasis on bold design and fun.

This limited-edition release is a collector’s item—it symbolizes what happens when childhood imagination meets the pinnacle of motorsport. Emily Prazer emphasized, ‘It’s more than just a partnership; it’s a celebration of speed, creativity, and innovation that will bring fans a new way to engage with the sport.’ Whether swapping out the different tire compounds like a pit crew or displaying it proudly, this collaboration encourages fans to engage with the magic of racing truly.

Image: Hot Wheels x F1

Key Takeaways

- Authentic F1 Details: From the bespoke Real Rider wheels to the official Pirelli branding, the model captures the precision and authenticity of a real F1 car.
- Interactive Tire Compounds: The interchangeable tires—soft, medium, and hard—mirror actual F1 race strategies, giving fans an immersive and hands-on experience.
- Collector’s Tire Rack: The thoughtfully designed tire rack adds to the display value, offering a pit lane-inspired accessory that ties the entire set together.
- High-Quality Build: The full-metal body, chassis, and shimmering metallic paint make this model a true collector’s piece, far beyond just a toy.
- Nostalgic Touches: The number ’68’ on the nose is a tribute to Hot Wheels’ debut year, connecting the brand’s rich history to this exciting new chapter.

The post Hot Wheels and F1 Team Up: Limited Edition Die-Cast Model Bringing the Thrill of Formula 1 Racing to Your Collection! first appeared on Yanko Design.

Officially licenced Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 racing wheel simulates every turn and bump to perfection

Posted on 24/07/2024 by Gaurav Sood

The lines between real racing and simulated one are blurring with every new advancement. The racing rigs with surreal force feedback, visually stunning displays and the 360-reality audio put you right in the middle of the action. Adding to the realism, a racing wheel enhances the experience by providing precise force feedback of every chicane and high speed bump.

For those who love racing F1 cars in the simulator at home, Sim Lab has revealed a sim racing wheel designed in collaboration with the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team. The officially licensed gaming accessory makes every G-force and high-speed overtake as authentic as possible. It is the closest thing to driving the real thing. Something that the Silver Arrows drivers – Hamilton and Russel vouch for to learn track behavior and practice before the team lands at the paddock of every race circuit.

Designer: Sim Lab

Compared to other racing wheels designed for Motorsports, this one is far ahead in terms of sheer level of detail and realism. The gaming accessory is designed using the CAD data that the F1 team uses for the multimillion-dollar racers. Hardware used in the making is also the same as the real F1 steering wheel used by the team. It is handmade out of a carbon fiber shell keeping the weight at 1,240 grams in total, so that every vibration and force feedback is felt the same as Lewis would feel driving at 150 mph going into a turn.

For superior grip and control during long stints of gaming, the racing wheel features anti-static rubber silicone grips. The carbon fiber shifter paddles, magic buttons and clutch mechanism have the same realism. It doesn’t stop there, as the gaming accessory features a 4.3-inch LCD screen that displays complex data to replicate the real-time data Mercedes F1 car’s drivers see while driving around the circuit. For those who follow F1 closely, the inclusion of 25 controllable RGB LEDs for telemetry data is unbelievable, showcasing the level of detail put into this one.

For those wanting to recreate the real Formula-1 experience, the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS Formula One Team Sim Racing Steering Wheel costs a whopping $2,500. You’ll need to add on other accessories like a wheelbase to complete the realism, so it’s going to be a costly affair only manageable by a few passionate sim racers and the odd gaming affectionate. The officially licensed racing wheel is going to be compatible with wheelbases other than Formula One including Simucube, Fanatec, Moza, Simagic Alpha, Asetek, and VRS.

The post Officially licenced Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 racing wheel simulates every turn and bump to perfection first appeared on Yanko Design.

TAG Heuer’s Iconic Return with the Reinvented Formula 1 Kith is Retro and Hot

Posted on 02/05/2024 by Vincent Nguyen

As a die-hard enthusiast of both timepieces and Formula 1, the comeback of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Series 1 not only grabs my attention—it’s also gearing up to increase my spending habits this month! This iconic watch, first introduced in 1986, was a pivotal point for TAG Heuer and played a key role in rejuvenating the Swiss brand during the quartz crisis. Its vibrant, robust design has survived and flourished, turning into a valued collector’s piece.

Designer: TAG Heuer + Kith

Teaming up with Kith, the trend-setting powerhouse that’s all about shaking up the fashion scene, TAG Heuer has given this classic sports watch a slick modern makeover. Limited to just under 5,000 pieces, the collection illustrates the nostalgia that often fuels contemporary watch collecting, coupled with the exclusivity and appeal that modern collectors want.

Just like the Swatch MoonSwatch sparked a frenzy in the watch world by adding a playful and accessible spin to Omega’s classic design, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Kith collection is set to generate similar excitement. As such, it’s sure to mix the thrill of “get it before it’s gone” with some cool, fresh updates. I imagine it will attract long-time original series fans and a new generation captivated by unique collaborations and storytelling through design.

Swatch x Peanuts Snoopy MoonSwatch

The new series introduces significant updates to meet modern expectations. Sapphire crystal now replaces the original plastic dial coverings, improving both durability and clarity. High-grade rubber straps have been used in place of the original plastic ones, providing enhanced comfort and wearability. Personally, I prefer high-quality rubber straps because they are more casual and comfortable for daily wear. The collection includes five models with stainless steel cases, two of which have black PVD coatings to match their bezels. Additionally, five models maintain the original Arnite cases, now offered in new colorways created in partnership with Kith.

TAG Heuer Formula 1 | Kith (References WA121L.BT0014 & WA121J.BT0012)

Ronnie Fieg, the founder of Kith and a significant figure in the streetwear and sneaker industry, brings his personal passion for vintage TAG Heuer Formula 1s to this collaboration. This enthusiasm is echoed in the collection’s unique design elements. The all-plastic versions, as well as two steel versions with bright blue and green bezels, are available exclusively at Kith’s boutiques in New York, Miami, Los Angeles, Toronto, Hawaii, Tokyo, and Paris, as well as on its website.

These watches represent a return to the brand’s adventurous and innovative roots for fans of TAG Heuer’s racing heritage. This watch lets you own a piece of motorsport history, refreshed for today. It’s a direct link to racing legends, updated with modern style—perfect for everyday wear or showing off at special events. The balance between preserving nostalgic features like the 35mm sizing and vibrant color palettes and introducing upgrades showcases TAG Heuer’s dedication to respecting its past while pushing forward.

As TAG Heuer and Kith prepare to launch, there’s a buzz among Formula 1 fans and watch enthusiasts. This isn’t just another watch hitting the market. It’s a big deal, a cultural happening. It’s a one-of-a-kind piece that might sell out as quickly as a race car zips around the track. It could even match the recent hit collaborations by Swatch.

The post TAG Heuer’s Iconic Return with the Reinvented Formula 1 Kith is Retro and Hot first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO McLaren MP4/4 with Ayrton Senna minifig arriving in March to grace F1 fans’ shelves

Posted on 03/02/2024 by Gaurav Sood

Ayrton Senna is the undisputed legend of motor racing and he could have achieved timeless greatness (not that he has already not achieved the feat) hadn’t it been for that fateful corner at the Imola Circuit in Italy during the 1994 San Marino Grand Prix. Hence, Ffor a Formula-1 fanatic, any memorabilia or piece of history that recalls the legend’s memories is a prized possession.

For such fans, LEGO Speed Champions and Technic lineup will add to the proud collection in the form of the McLaren F1 MP4 Ayrton Senna LEGO set. The set comprising of 693 pieces will go on sale from March 1, 2024 for a suggested price tag of $80. Highlight of this set is the Senna minifigure on a podium holding the winner’s trophy with a plate displaying the photo and quote, alongside the McLaren in action mode.

Designer: LEGO Group

The main focus here is the successful F1 MP4/4 car powered by the Honda turbocharged engine that was used during the 1988 Formula 1 season. Ayrton alongside his teammate Alain Prost pushed this beast to its limits in a spectacle of racing craft dominating the competition winning 15 out of the 16 races during the season. Ayrton stole the limelight with eight wins for the team, securing his place as the world champion, while Alain just missed the bar winning seven races.

The MP4/4’s reliability and pure performance made it one of the most dominant cars in the history of F1 to date. Of course, one can attribute that feat to the skill of Ayrton who showed some of the most mind-blowing driving craft during the season. Coming back to this LEGO build, it looks like Shell is again on good terms with the LEGO Group after a lull of a decade. You can spot the Sheel and Honda logos while the controversial Marlboro branding has been given a pass.

The 1:8 LEGO model is 553 mm long, 257 mm wide, and 125mm high. It comes with functional suspensions, a steering wheel, a V6 engine, a turbo compressor (with intercooler radiators), snorkels and exhaust blowing under the rear diffuser. What more could you ask for?