Big news out of D23 today for Disney and racing fans alike D23 Disney and Formula 1 just announced they’re extending their collaboration through 2028, and they’re bringing a brand new face into the mix, Lightning McQueen and the whole Pixar Cars gang. The announcement dropped at D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event, where attendees can head to the Disney Store booth for a first look at the new Disney and Pixar Cars Collection with Formula 1, plus check out the Disney x Formula 1 Fuel the Magic Photo Experience happening throughout the convention weekend.
This partnership kicked off back in 2025 blending Disney magic with racing fandom, and this extension adds a whole new season on top of the original plan. Even bigger, this marks the first time the collaboration is expanding beyond Mickey & Friends, with Cars joining in to celebrate the film’s 20th anniversary. Lightning McQueen is getting an all new look for the occasion, and he’s racing into the Formula 1 Gran Premio d’Italia at Monza this September, one of the most iconic race weekends on the calendar.
Since launching, the collaboration has shown up in some pretty unforgettable ways. Fans may remember the debut at the 2025 Las Vegas Grand Prix with a Disney Live Entertainment performance at the Fountains of Bellagio, or the WEBTOON comic series and Fan Zone pop ups that launched at the Chinese Grand Prix earlier this year. The partnership even expanded into F1 Academy at the Canadian Grand Prix, spotlighting Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck in race ready looks aimed at inspiring the next generation of women in motorsport. And at the British Grand Prix, a custom Mickey Mouse inspired racing helmet signed by 20 current F1 drivers sold for a record breaking £151,000 to benefit Make A Wish International. A second helmet will be on display at D23 this weekend, and U.S. fans can enter a Prizeo sweepstakes for a chance to win a replica, with proceeds benefiting Make A Wish America.
As for the merchandise, D23 attendees get first dibs this weekend on six new Disney Store exclusive items including a pin, hat, and fleece, along with die cast vehicles from Mattel. rmuThe full Disney and Pixar’s Cars Collection with Formula 1 hits DisneyStore.com on August 14 at 9am, with select items rolling out more broadly on August 27 through the Formula 1 Official Online Store and in person at Monza next month.
Are you more excited for the Cars crossover or the Mickey & Friends side of this partnership? Let us know in the comments!
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