Lightning McQueen to Have Lap at 2026 F1 Italian Grand Prix to Celebrate 20th Anniversary of 'Cars'

Lightning McQueen has made it from the Piston Cup to the Italian Grand Prix.

A vehicle designed to look like the main character from Cars will drive an honorary lap this weekend in Monza to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the 2006 Disney and Pixar film, F1 announced Thursday.

The Grand Prix weekend will also feature a Mercedes-AMG safety car decorated with livery inspired by Cars , according to F1.

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The news comes three weeks after Disney and Formula 1 announced Cars would become part of a global partnership currently set to extend through 2028.

The two companies first collaborated in 2025 by bringing classic animated characters including Mickey Mouse to the Las Vegas Grand Prix.

This weekend's F1 action in Monza begins Friday and leads up to the Grand Prix starting Sunday at 9 a.m. ET.