Lego go-kart chaos at British GP as Alonso wins parade, Hamilton and Verstappen join despite criticism
All 22 Formula One drivers took part in a Lego go-kart parade before the British Grand Prix, with Fernando Alonso crossing the line first after a lap of beached cars, grass-cutting and good-natured bumping.
Pre-race spectacle
Formula One turned its pre-race drivers' parade into a chaotic mini-race at Silverstone on Sunday, sending all 22 drivers around the circuit in go-karts built from more than 28,000 Lego bricks each. FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem led the field away in his own kart, and the event was broadcast live on television and social media. The parade was the second edition of a partnership between F1 and Lego, following a 2025 Miami event that used ten two-seater electric cars.
Reluctant participants
Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen had publicly pushed back against the idea in the days before the race. Hamilton called it "the most dangerous part of the weekend" and hinted he might skip it, while Verstappen told Viaplay he preferred to "play with Lego at home, you know, with the kids" and that drivers should not be made to "look like kids and clowns." Both ultimately took part, with the event's status as a contractual commercial activation leaving little room to opt out.
At the end of the day we are Formula One drivers, I think we should not look like kids and clowns trying to ram into each other. I don't think that is what Formula One needs, but it is what it is.
The build
Each go-kart weighed roughly 280 kg, with 65 kg of that coming from the Lego elements mounted on a metal frame. Powered by an electric motor, the karts reached a top speed of 25 kph (16 mph) on standard go-kart wheels. A team of 20 designers, engineers and builders at the Lego factory in Kladno, Czech Republic, spent more than 6,400 hours constructing the fleet, which carried the teams' 2026 liveries and driver numbers.
On-track chaos
The lap quickly descended into disorder. Several drivers cut across the gravel early on and became beached, forcing some to lift their karts free. Carlos Sainz abandoned his stranded Williams and hitched a ride on the back of Lando Norris's McLaren. Norris later stopped to greet fans at his 'Landostand' at Stowe, leaving Sainz to complete the lap in the McLaren. Ollie Bearman performed donuts on the Hangar Straight, and multiple drivers used the second pit lane and grass run-offs to gain time.
- Mohammed Ben Sulayem leads the 22 drivers away from the grid.
- Multiple drivers cut across the gravel and become beached.
- Carlos Sainz abandons his kart and rides with Lando Norris.
- Ollie Bearman performs donuts in his go-kart.
- Alonso, Bottas and Ocon cut across the grass; Alonso crosses the line first.
Alonso takes the 'win'
The battle for the line came down to Aston Martin's Fernando Alonso, Cadillac's Valtteri Bottas and Haas driver Esteban Ocon. All three cut across the grass at the final corner, with Alonso crossing first. The result offered a light-hearted moment for Alonso, whose Aston Martin team has spent the season running at the back of the field.
