Lightning McQueen is at Monza. Formula 1, Disney and Mercedes-AMG are marking the 20th anniversary of Cars at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, September 4 through 6, with McQueen making a special appearance that includes an honorary lap of the circuit, and the official FIA Safety Car, the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, wearing a Cars-inspired livery created only for this race.
It is the first time the Cars franchise has been folded into the Formula 1 x Disney partnership, which the two companies extended through 2028 at D23 last month. Until now the program had centered on Mickey Mouse and the classic characters, beginning with a Fountains of Bellagio show and a Disneyland Band appearance at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix and continuing through the Chinese, Canadian and British races this season.
Disney Parks announced the appearance Thursday morning with a set of photos of McQueen in his new Formula 1 look.
A New Look For The Number 95
McQueen arrives at the Autodromo Nazionale Monza sporting an all-new paint scheme inspired by the collaboration, according to Formula 1, with the honorary lap as the centerpiece of the weekend. The Safety Car livery, which Mercedes-AMG built specifically for Monza, will be on track whenever the race calls for it and will not be seen at any other round. The GT 63 PRO itself only debuted as the Safety Car at the Hungarian Grand Prix earlier this season, the 14th Mercedes to hold the role and the first with fully variable all-wheel drive. Mercedes-AMG has supplied Formula 1’s official Safety Car since 1996 and has shared the role with Aston Martin on alternating rounds since 2021. Monza falls to Mercedes this year, which is what makes a one-off wrap possible for this race alone.
Fans at the circuit can shop the Cars with Formula 1 collection trackside throughout the weekend. The range covers apparel, accessories, collectibles and Mattel die-cast vehicles inspired by both worlds, and select pieces will be sold online through the official F1 Store and Disney Store.
Timed To Lightning McQueen Day
The timing is not accidental. Saturday, September 5, was Lightning McQueen Day, a nod to the number 95 on his door, and it fell on the middle day of the Monza weekend. Cars itself returned to theaters on Friday, September 4, the day of first practice, with Disney and Pixar re-releasing the original film for its anniversary run alongside a Lightning McQueen popcorn bucket.
The Monza stop is the first Cars activation the partnership has announced, and Disney says more 2028-season details will follow in the coming months. The collection itself debuted at the Disney Store booth at D23 on August 14 with six first-to-market pieces, went online the same day and rolled out more widely on August 27, including to the F1 flagship store at Monza. The partnership’s British Grand Prix stop in July produced its biggest charity result so far, a Mickey Mouse-inspired helmet signed by all 20 drivers that sold for £151,000 for Make-A-Wish International.
Where It Fits
Formula 1 has leaned into entertainment partnerships under Liberty Media, and the Disney deal has become one of its most visible. Disney’s parks side has its own Cars stake in the ground too, with Cars Land at Disney California Adventure and the Piston Peak area now under construction at Magic Kingdom.
Practice ran Friday and qualifying Saturday, with the race on Sunday, September 6.
For the latest news and updates make sure to follow us on social media! Facebook | Twitter | Threads | Instagram | TikTok
