Lightning McQueen shifts into high gear at Monza for the 20th anniversary of Cars
Disney, Pixar, and Formula 1 are celebrating 20 years of Cars at the 2026 Italian Grand Prix with a special appearance by Lightning McQueen, a fully restyled Mercedes-AMG Safety Car, and a new collection blending apparel, accessories, and collector's items.
For fans of Disney, Pixar, and motorsports, the weekend of September 4–6, 2026, in Monza feels a lot like Radiator Springs. Disney and Formula 1 have chosen the Italian Grand Prix to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Cars, released in 2006, with a highly visible activation centered around Lightning McQueen.
The announcement, officially detailed by Disney Consumer Products and Formula 1 on September 3, 2026, combines a trackside experience with merchandising: Lightning McQueen is sporting a new livery inspired by the Disney x Formula 1 collaboration, a Mercedes-AMG Safety Car has received an exclusive Cars wrap for Monza, and a dedicated collection is being offered throughout the weekend.
Lightning McQueen invited to one of Formula 1’s most legendary circuits
Disney is presenting Monza as a new milestone in the global "Fuel the Magic" collaboration. For the occasion, Lightning McQueen arrived in Italy following a scripted invitation from his long-time rival Francesco Bernoulli, a well-known character from Cars 2.
Formula 1 confirms that Lightning McQueen is scheduled to make a special appearance, including a parade lap, during the weekend. Disney also notes that the famous number 95 is debuting a new look in Monza inspired by the Disney x Formula 1 visual identity.
Why Monza is a symbolic choice
The Italian circuit, often nicknamed the "Temple of Speed," provides a particularly fitting terrain for uniting the world of Cars with that of Formula 1. Disney is taking the opportunity to place Lightning McQueen in a real-world racing environment while celebrating two decades of the Pixar franchise.
The Mercedes-AMG Safety Car gets a Cars makeover
The other highlight of the weekend involves the Mercedes-AMG GT 63 PRO 4MATIC+, used as the Official FIA Formula 1 Safety Car. Formula 1 and Mercedes-AMG have applied a special Cars-inspired livery, created exclusively for the 2026 Italian Grand Prix.
Formula 1 specifies that this wrap is unique to Monza. It is not, at this stage, a new permanent livery for the Safety Car for the remainder of the season.
The circuit is also hosting several Pixar activities in the fan zone, including a Mattel activation dedicated to Cars and a special screening of the film for its 20th anniversary.
A first Cars x Formula 1 collection designed for collectors, too
The interest in "Once Upon Magic" also extends to the merchandise. Disney is presenting this release as the first Disney and Pixar Cars collection with Formula 1. It combines apparel, accessories, collector's items, and Mattel die-cast vehicles.
Official visuals unveiled by Disney include a Lightning McQueen plush, a set of miniature vehicles, keychains, Lightning McQueen and Francesco Bernoulli pins, various caps, T-shirts, hoodies, jackets, and pieces inspired by the paddock and Monza.
The complete collection is available on-site during the Italian weekend, while Disney indicates that only certain items are also available online via the Disney Store and the official Formula 1 store. It is therefore necessary to distinguish between the range displayed at Monza and the selection actually accessible online depending on the country.
For enthusiasts looking for Disney pieces to display or keep, our Collectibles selection brings together other official items, while our guide What Disney gift to give a collector? helps with choosing based on the fan's profile.
Disney x Formula 1: a collaboration now extended until 2028
Cars is not an isolated operation. Disney and Formula 1 announced in August that their global collaboration, launched in 2025, would be extended until 2028. Cars now officially joins this program following Mickey & Friends, with products, content, and experiences planned around various Grands Prix.
This extension opens the door to further activations in upcoming seasons, but Disney and Formula 1 have not yet detailed the full Cars schedule beyond the current announcements. It would therefore be premature to assume that Monza means an identical presence at every circuit in 2027 or 2028.
Will the Cars x Formula 1 collection arrive at Disneyland Paris?
This distinction is important for collectors: a Disney x F1 collaboration can be distributed in Europe without every capsule linked to a Grand Prix automatically receiving the same distribution.
If pieces subsequently appear on the secondary market, our guide Official Disney product: 10 checks to avoid counterfeits may be useful for verifying provenance, markings, and product consistency. To follow limited releases and collaborations unveiled during major Disney events more broadly, also check out our article D23 2026: pins, Loungefly, Pandora, Topps, and Disney Parks collectibles to watch.
Why this news is interesting for Disney fans
The collaboration goes beyond a simple logo on a piece of clothing. Disney and Formula 1 have built a complete staging around Monza: the appearance of Lightning McQueen, the announced parade lap, the themed Safety Car, fan zone experiences, and the associated physical collection.
For Cars, it is also a way to celebrate its 20th anniversary by reconnecting the franchise to its central theme: racing. And for collectors, the arrival of die-cast models, pins, and accessories specific to Monza creates a new branch of products to follow in a Disney x Formula 1 collaboration that is now set to continue until 2028.
FAQ
Why is Lightning McQueen at Monza in September 2026?
Disney and Formula 1 are celebrating 20 years of Cars during the 2026 Italian Grand Prix. Lightning McQueen is making a special appearance there, and Formula 1 has notably announced a parade lap.
When is the 2026 Italian Grand Prix?
The 2026 Formula 1 Italian Grand Prix is taking place from September 4 to 6 in Monza.
What products are in the Cars x Formula 1 collection?
Disney has announced apparel, accessories, collector's items, and Mattel die-cast vehicles. Official visuals show pins, keychains, caps, clothing, a Lightning McQueen plush, and miniatures.
Is the Cars x Formula 1 collection available online?
Yes, but Disney specifies that only certain items are offered online via the Disney Store and the official Formula 1 store. The full range is announced for Monza during the race weekend.
Will the Cars x Formula 1 capsule be sold at Disneyland Paris?
No official announcement consulted as of September 5, 2026, confirms the sale of this Cars capsule at Disneyland Paris. A previous Disney x Formula 1 Velocity collection was indeed announced for Disneyland Paris, but that is a separate range.
Will the Cars Safety Car continue to be used after Monza?
Formula 1 presents the Cars livery of the Mercedes-AMG Safety Car as an exclusive creation for the Monza weekend. No permanent use has been announced.
Disney and Formula 1 are celebrating 20 years of Cars in Monza from September 4–6, 2026. Lightning McQueen is debuting a new look and is scheduled to perform a parade lap, while a Mercedes-AMG Safety Car is adopting an exclusive Cars livery. A new Cars x Formula 1 collection accompanies the event with clothing, accessories, pins, and Mattel miniatures. Its availability at Disneyland Paris is not confirmed.
Official Sources
Information verified via Disney Parks Blog – Disney and Formula 1 Shift Into High Gear for the 2026 Race Season, Formula 1 – Cars at Monza and Mercedes-AMG Safety Car activation, and Disney Parks Blog – Cars joins the Disney and Formula 1 collaboration.