The LEGO Group and F1 Academy have formed a multi-year partnership that brings LEGO Racing to the 2026 season and expands efforts to engage young fans, particularly girls. The announcement debuted at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, where the companies also unveiled their first collaborative LEGO set.
“F1 Academy is levelling the playing field in motorsport, giving young female athletes a clear pathway to achieve their dreams in the top tiers of the sport,” says Julia Goldin, Chief Product & Marketing Officer of The LEGO Group.
Dutch driver Esmee Kosterman pilots the LEGO Racing car for her first full F1 Academy season in 2026. Kosterman’s background includes kart racing, a landmark win in the Ford Fiesta Sprint Cup, and appearances in Indian F4 and F1 Academy as a Wild Card entry at Zandvoort in 2024.
“To be the first driver for LEGO Racing is such an exciting opportunity,” shares Kosterman. “I hope this inspires future generations of female drivers, that with hard work and determination, anything is possible!”
Her car features a new LEGO Racing livery designed by The LEGO Group, combining F1 Academy styling with LEGO-inspired colors and patterns, including a distinctive checkered motif. The livery, Kosterman, and the first product from the partnership were introduced during a Las Vegas event.
The companies highlighted growing interest among girls in motorsport. Recent research from The LEGO Group reports that 75% of girls surveyed think racing sounds exciting, and more than half, 52%, could see themselves as an F1 Academy or race car driver. The partnership aims to support this interest through creative play, representation, and storytelling on and off the track.
“We’re so proud to welcome The LEGO Group as an Official Partner of F1 Academy. This collaboration isn’t just about the possibility of building an F1 Academy LEGO car, it’s about building belief in what’s possible,” says Susie Wolff, Managing Director of F1 Academy.
The collaboration also includes the LEGO Speed Champions F1 Academy LEGO Race Car, a 201-piece set with aerodynamic detailing, the LEGO Racing colorway, the number 32 livery, and a matching minifigure. The set is available for preorder and will launch on March 1, 2026.
“We hope every young girl who picks up these bricks sees more than just a model; she sees herself, her potential, and her place in the world of motorsport, whether as a fan, engineer, driver, or leader,” Wolff adds. “Together, we’re challenging outdated perceptions of who belongs in motorsport and empowering the next generation of young women to build their own paths.”
During the first F1 Academy weekend at the Las Vegas Grand Prix, The LEGO Group presents each race’s podium finishers with custom LEGO Botanicals Bouquets, each built from nearly 2,000 LEGO elements.
Learn more at lego.com/f1.
