Pixar Cars Joins F1 Partnership
Disney and F1 Extend Global Partnership Through 2028, Adding Pixar's Cars
Key Points
Las Vegas Grand Prix 2025 activation featured a Disney Live Entertainment performance at the Fountains of Bellagio and a Disneyland Band cameo, alongside the debut Disney x Formula 1 merchandise collection designed by Bobby Kim.
In 2026, the partnership expands with a China Grand Prix milestone: WEBTOON original content is launched, a Formula 1 show car is displayed at Shanghai Disneyland Resort, and race-weekend fan zones feature pop-ups with race-specific and core merchandise.
The Canadian Grand Prix 2026 marks an expansion into F1 Academy, spotlighting Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck in dedicated merchandise and race-weekend experiences to inspire a new generation of women in motorsport.
Cars becomes the first 'outside property' to join the Disney–F1 partnership, and the Cars collection is set to debut at Monza with Lightning McQueen appearing in person in a new livery; the Cars line will also be unveiled at D23.
Disney and Formula 1 have extended their global "Fuel the Magic" partnership through 2028, according to Disney Parks Blog. The deal adds Disney and Pixar's Cars to the collaboration for the first time — making Lightning McQueen the first character from outside the Mickey & Friends universe to join the program.
The announcement was made at D23, Disney's flagship fan convention in Anaheim. Fans at D23 can preview the Cars merchandise collection at the Disney Store booth. The Cars line will also make its racing debut at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, where Lightning McQueen is set to appear in person wearing a new livery, Disney Food Blog reported.
Cars Joins F1 in a First for the Partnership
Cars is the first Pixar property to enter the Disney–F1 deal. Lightning McQueen will debut a brand-new race livery at Monza, timed to the 20th anniversary of the Cars film, according to Disney Food Blog. A full Cars-themed merchandise collection will roll out alongside the Monza debut.
The Main Street Mouse noted that the Cars addition signals Disney's intent to broaden the partnership's character universe well beyond its original scope. Executives described the move as a natural next step — fusing Disney storytelling with the speed and drama of Formula 1 racing.
How the Partnership Has Grown Since Its 2025 Launch
The collaboration launched in 2025 with a splash at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. That debut featured a Disney Live Entertainment performance at the Fountains of Bellagio and a cameo from the Disneyland Band. A debut Disney x Formula 1 merchandise collection, designed by Bobby Kim, also dropped at the event, per Disney Parks Blog.
In 2026, the partnership hits China. A Formula 1 show car will go on display at Shanghai Disneyland Resort during the China Grand Prix, according to Sports Business Journal. WEBTOON original content will also launch at that race, alongside fan zones featuring pop-up shops with race-specific and core merchandise.
Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck Drive Into F1 Academy
The 2026 Canadian Grand Prix marks a new chapter. Disney is expanding the deal into F1 Academy — the all-female racing series designed to develop women in motorsport. Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck will headline dedicated merchandise and race-weekend experiences at the event, Disney Parks Blog reported.
The move is aimed at inspiring a new generation of women in racing. F1 Academy gives the Disney partnership a platform that goes beyond the main F1 grid. It puts the brand in front of a younger, broader audience at a critical moment in women's motorsport growth.
What the 2028 Extension Means for Fans Worldwide
Sports Business Journal described the deal as a licensing agreement, not just a marketing partnership. That means merchandise, experiences, and content will keep expanding through 2028. Race-weekend activations, fan zones, and exclusive drops are all part of the plan across multiple global Grand Prix stops.
Head Topics noted the partnership targets fans at home, trackside, and on social media. The strategy is built on cross-brand experiences — putting Disney characters inside the world of F1 and bringing F1 energy into Disney spaces. With Cars now in the mix, the collaboration has room to grow in ways it couldn't before.
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