Lightning McQueen Rolls Into Monza for ‘Cars’ 20th Anniversary
NXTbets Pro | Published On: September 4, 2026
McQueen activation at Monza
Formula 1 will send a vehicle designed to look like Lightning McQueen from Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” on an honorary lap at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, giving the paddock activation a centerpiece built for the weekend. McQueen already has appeared in the Formula 1 paddock at Monza for the celebration, and the car had a new look for the occasion. Formula 1 framed the appearance as part of a tribute to the 20th anniversary of “Cars,” a tie-in that brings an animated character directly into the grand prix environment. The activation also marks McQueen’s first appearance at a grand prix as part of Formula 1’s collaboration with Disney, giving the crossover a fresh stage at one of the sport’s stops. The setting adds to the impact. The result is a promotional push that reaches beyond the track action and into the fan experience, with McQueen front and center as the Italian Grand Prix weekend unfolds.
Cars-themed merchandise at Monza
The Monza weekend also brings a broader “Cars” presentation through the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 Safety Car, which carries a Cars-themed livery for the event. That design extends the collaboration beyond the McQueen activation and gives the grand prix a coordinated visual theme. Fans at Monza can buy F1 x Disney and Pixar’s “Cars” merchandise as part of the same push, with the range including die-cast vehicles, apparel, collectibles and accessories. The mix gives the promotion several entry points, from display items for younger fans to clothing and memorabilia for collectors. It also turns the Italian Grand Prix into more than a single appearance by a movie character. The promotion extends across the McQueen car, the safety car and the retail offerings, all pointing to the same collaboration. That connection gives the merchandise more context on the ground at Monza, where the activation and retail offerings come together.
Formula 1 Disney partnership
Formula 1 and Disney launched their partnership and later extended it through the end of 2028, giving both sides a long runway for collaborations built around “Cars” and its characters. The Monza activation shows how the deal can move beyond a logo swap and into a live grand prix setting. McQueen’s appearance in the paddock, the honorary lap plan and the Cars-themed safety car all give the partnership visible touchpoints during the Italian Grand Prix weekend. The promotion also gives Formula 1 a way to connect with fans through a character that already sits at the intersection of racing and entertainment. Liam Lawson was photographed with the full-size McQueen car and a Piston Cup replica, another image that ties a Formula 1 driver to the film world’s racing language. That photo adds a human element to the wider activation and helps frame the weekend as a staged crossover rather than a simple branding exercise. Formula 1 has put the collaboration in motion with a clear theme at Monza, and the event now ties together the honorary lap, the paddock appearance, the themed safety car and the merchandise push under one umbrella.
