The LEGO Group announced a multi-year partnership with F1 ACADEMY at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit during the Formula 1 Las Vegas Grand Prix. LEGO Racing debuts in the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season with 20-year-old Dutch driver Esmee Kosterman behind the wheel.
Designer: LEGO
The announcement brings a toy company directly onto the racing grid with its own team, driver, and a livery created by the LEGO Design team. The livery uses a unique checkered pattern that merges the brand’s toy aesthetic with racing design, creating a visual identity that stands apart from typical motorsport liveries.
The partnership includes the LEGO Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY Race Car, a 201-piece set launching globally on March 1, 2026. The set features aerodynamic details mirroring the real car’s design, the #32 racing number, and a minifigure in LEGO Racing colors. Pre-orders are available now from [LEGO.com](http://LEGO.com).
The Livery and Las Vegas Debut
The LEGO Racing livery represents a departure from traditional motorsport design. The LEGO Design team created a one-of-a-kind livery that uses colors and patterns from the LEGO brand identity. The checkered pattern differs from the traditional racing checkered flag, bringing the tactile, modular world of LEGO brick building directly onto the track.
Most racing liveries use sharp angles, aggressive typography, and sponsor-dense layouts optimized for speed and intimidation. LEGO Racing took a different approach, creating a playful, approachable visual identity that prioritizes brand recognition over racing convention.
At the Las Vegas F1 ACADEMY weekend, the LEGO Group presented custom LEGO Botanicals Bouquets for the Race 1 and Race 2 podium ceremonies. Each bouquet was built from nearly 2,000 LEGO elements and weighs approximately 1 kg, replacing traditional trophies with LEGO’s signature building blocks.
Esmee Kosterman Takes the Wheel
Esmee Kosterman becomes the premiere driver for LEGO Racing in her first full F1 ACADEMY season. The 20-year-old Dutch driver made history as the first woman to win in the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup series in 2023, where she finished second in the Junior Cup and third place overall. She made her F1 ACADEMY debut as a Wild Card at Round 5 in Zandvoort, her home race, in 2024 before moving to single seaters with Indian F4.
According to Kosterman, she’s been a longtime fan of the LEGO brand and what it represents. “To be the first driver for LEGO Racing is such an exciting opportunity, and I can’t wait to continue my racing journey with F1 ACADEMY,” she said. “I hope this inspires future generations of female drivers, that with hard work and determination, anything is possible.”
The Product Launch
The LEGO Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY Race Car marks the first time fans can hold an F1 ACADEMY car in their hands, according to Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer at the LEGO Group. The 201-piece set features intricate aerodynamic details that mirror the real car’s design, complete with the unique colorway and the #32 racing number.
The set includes a minifigure in LEGO Racing colors and focuses on securing female representation in racing toys for young girls. LEGO Group research shows 87% of girls surveyed want more opportunities in motorsport, and 75% think racing sounds exciting. However, 76% of parents surveyed believe motorsport is often perceived as “more for boys.”
The representation gap extends to toy aisles. Racing toys have historically featured male drivers and male-dominated racing series. According to the LEGO Group, 82% of parents think representation in motorsport is important, and 52% of girls surveyed could see themselves as an F1 ACADEMY or race car driver.
The LEGO Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY Race Car is available for pre-order now from LEGO with global retail availability starting March 1, 2026.
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