Mickey Mouse Hit the F1 Track in Vegas—and It’s Only the Beginning of Disney’s Partnership with Formula 1

Disney and Formula 1 are kicking off their multi-year collaboration at the Las Vegas Grand Prix this weekend with appearances from Mickey & Friends, exciting fan experiences, all-new F1 merchandise, and, of course, a dose of Disney magic. F1 is undoubtedly one of the most exciting sports to watch right now, with race viewership and attendance continuing to accelerate in the U.S. and abroad, thanks in part to summer blockbuster “F1 The Movie,” three relatively new American grand prix, and the popular Netflix series Formula 1: Drive to Survive. And now one of the world’s most iconic brands, Disney, is joining the race, bringing their beloved characters to the mix in their “Fuel the Magic” campaign—and we were on the ground in Las Vegas to see their partnership come to life.

Beyond the usual race weekend activities—always brought to the next level during the over-the-top Las Vegas Grand Prix—there was a lineup of Disney events that brought the fun of the theme parks to the track and beyond. To kick things off, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, Daisy Duck, Goofy, and Pluto went for a pit lane walk—a race weekend event where certain guests get the chance to walk the pit lane to see the cars and garages up close. Mickey also took over the Fountains of Bellagio for a special performance from Disney Live Entertainment, and on race day, the Disneyland Band performed the national anthem on the grid.

Mickey and pals also gave a few drivers some of the new Disney x Formula 1 merchandise, a collection of t-shirts, sweatshirts, and accessories that combine the brands in sporty-chic designs.

​“With F1 and Disney, both of them have such deep, deep fandoms, deep legacies and lore,” Bobby Kim, also known as Bobby Hundreds, vice president of creative for the Americas at Disney Consumer Products, shared with Travel + Leisure. “I think Disney and F1, as much as they’re rooted in these histories, they’re also very progressive. They’re on the front lines of technology, of design, of sport. So what is that balance between making it feel retro and familiar while also making it feel like, ‘Oh, this is something very cool.’” (And don’t worry if you didn’t make it to the race; the merch is also available on the Disney Store website.)

​And the Disney x Formula 1 partnership is just revving up. The collaboration will expand globally through the 2026 and 2027 seasons, with more magic on the horizon. “As we look ahead to the global Disney’s Mickey & Friends and Formula 1 launch in 2026, the ‘Fuel the Magic’ program will bring two iconic brands together to give fans of all ages a race weekend filled with creativity, entertainment, and a touch of magic,” Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of Formula 1 and president and CEO of Las Vegas Grand Prix, Inc, said in a statement shared with T+L.