Disney and F1 Extend Their Partnership Through 2028, and Lightning McQueen Finally Gets Grid Time
Disney and Formula 1 have decided to keep going steady, and this time Lightning McQueen is riding shotgun. The two companies announced Thursday night at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event in Anaheim that their consumer products collaboration is extending through the 2028 season, a full additional year on top of the original agreement. The bigger change is who is joining the roster: Disney and…
In a significant extension of their partnership, Disney and Formula 1 have agreed to collaborate through the 2028 season, with Pixar's Cars franchise joining the program. This licensing and consumer products arrangement, managed by Disney Consumer Products, does not involve broadcast rights or team ownership. Instead, it allows Disney to put characters like Mickey Mouse and Lightning McQueen on merchandise, pop-up retail activations, and social content aligned with the racing calendar.
The Cars franchise, known for its Route 66 nostalgia and small-town oval racing, is a unique fit for Formula 1. While the two industries may seem disparate, Cars was often fans' first introduction to racing, and there are already Toy Story-themed cars in real garages. The new Disney and Pixar's Cars Collection with Formula 1 will be released in stages, beginning at D23 and available online and at race weekends.
A notable highlight is the charity angle, as a Mickey Mouse-inspired racing helmet, signed by 20 current F1 drivers, sold at auction for £151,000 during the British Grand Prix, benefiting Make-A-Wish International. This partnership shows Disney and Formula 1 aiming to engage families who may not watch races but will buy merchandise like a Lightning McQueen keychain.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
