Mini machines, big stories

LEGO: TURNS ΤΟΥ CARS INTO SHOWCASES OF DESIGN, ENGINEERING

- Arthur Goldstuck

Toy cars are rarely treated as serious products, but recent releases from Lego and Matchbox demand exactly that.

The Lego Speed Champions Formula 1 series has become a favourite among fans who want to build scaled-down versions of the world’s fastest racing machines. Most teams that compete in real-life F1 are represented, and each car is decorated with realistic-looking stickers and tires.

As a result, the sets capture the distinctive bodywork and livery of the current grid, translating complex aerodynamic shapes into blocky but surprisingly faithful replicas. They are not as intricate as Lego’s larger Technic kits, but the design ambition is similar, especially in how they recreate the spectacle of modern Formula 1.

F1 cars are also rolling showcases of the global tech industry. Across the grid, the logos of Oracle, Cisco, Google and HP are as visible as those of tyre manufacturers and oil companies.

Red Bull carries Oracle branding, highlighting the significance of cloud data in F1, Mercedes displays SAP as a partner in business software, Google lends its Android and Chrome branding to McLaren, which also features Cisco and Workday, and HP aligns itself with Ferrari.

Together they underline how central data, connectivity and computing have become to race strategy and performance.

The Lego series captures this dual role. The cars are miniatures, but the sponsor decals bring into focus the connection between Formula 1 and technology. The McLaren F1 Team MCL38 is one of the most striking models in the range, with 269 pieces that reproduce its papaya-and-black livery, slim nose and distinctive sidepods.