When superheroes met Formula 1

Movies and motorsport have repeatedly crossed paths over the past two decades, with Formula 1 becoming a stage for some of the world’s biggest superhero franchises. Teams and drivers have embraced comic-book branding through special liveries, themed helmets, paddock appearances, movie promotions and even a champagne shoey.

Esteban Ocon’s Spider-Man and Deadpool helmets

Esteban Ocon has made his Marvel fandom part of his Formula 1 identity. A committed Spider-Man supporter, the Haas driver has used several racing helmets inspired by the character, including designs connected with his collaboration with Spider-Man: Brand New Day.

Ocon’s latest Spider-Man-themed helmet appeared at the Belgian and Hungarian Grands Prix and also travelled with him to the film’s London premiere. It formed the latest chapter of a personal trilogy of Spider-Man designs spanning the 2022, 2025 and 2026 seasons. During his time with Alpine, Ocon also ran a Deadpool-inspired helmet at the 2023 Las Vegas Grand Prix, where he was able to show it to Ryan Reynolds, the actor behind the antihero.

Alpine turns its car into Deadpool and Wolverine

Superhero influence also reached Alpine’s ownership group. In 2023, Otro Capital, RedBird Capital Partners and Maximum Effort Investments acquired a 24% stake in the team as part of a €200 million investment. The group included Hollywood actors Ryan Reynolds and Michael B. Jordan, alongside sports stars such as Travis Kelce, Patrick Mahomes, Rory McIlroy and Anthony Joshua.

The partnership produced one of the most striking recent F1 liveries: a red-and-yellow Deadpool & Wolverine design for the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix. The A524 featured claw marks at the rear and abandoned Alpine’s usual blue-and-pink colour scheme for a visual nod to the Marvel characters.

Red Bull’s Superman podium

Red Bull promoted Superman Returns at the 2006 Monaco Grand Prix with a distinctive livery and matching race suits. The branding proved memorable on track as David Coulthard delivered the team’s first Formula 1 podium finish.

Coulthard wore a red cape during the podium ceremony, while team principal Christian Horner later celebrated by jumping into the swimming pool. The event was attended by stars of Superman Returns, and David Corenswet, the latest actor to play Clark Kent, later visited the F1 paddock and grid before the 2025 Singapore Grand Prix.

Williams enters the Marvel Universe

Williams drivers Alexander Albon and Carlos Sainz have become comic-book characters through a collaboration between the team and Marvel. The one-shot comics also feature team principal James Vowles and place the Williams trio in a story involving Doctor Doom’s “diabolical plans” to take over the podium.

Iron Man and the Avengers join the Williams pairing as they attempt to protect their championship challenge. Special comic covers have been planned for races including Monaco, Miami, Silverstone, Madrid, Singapore, Austin and Las Vegas.

Batman takes over the British Grand Prix

Batman branding appeared at the British Grand Prix twice during the era of Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight trilogy. Toyota promoted The Dark Knight in 2008 with the Bat symbol on its red-and-white cars, race suits and motorhome. The team also displayed the Batpod and Batmobile, with the latter used in a pit-stop photocall.

Four years later, Lotus promoted The Dark Knight Rises with gold logos on its cars, helmets and garage. Kimi Raikkonen and Romain Grosjean carried the film’s branding, while the Tumbler appeared on Silverstone’s start-finish straight.

Lewis Hamilton salutes Chadwick Boseman

One of the most emotional superhero connections came at the 2020 Belgian Grand Prix. After taking pole position, Lewis Hamilton performed the “Wakanda Forever” salute in tribute to Chadwick Boseman, who had died the previous day.

Hamilton described the pole as “really important” and praised Boseman’s impact, saying: “What he has done for our people, what he’s done for… this superhero shows all these young kids that it’s possible. He was such a shining light. So we carry that forever.”

Patrick Stewart joins Daniel Ricciardo’s shoey

Hollywood’s presence in Formula 1 has often gone beyond appearances. At the 2017 Canadian Grand Prix, Sir Patrick Stewart hosted the podium interviews after Daniel Ricciardo finished third for Red Bull Racing. Ricciardo then persuaded Stewart, known for playing Professor Charles Xavier in the X-Men films, to drink champagne from his race-worn boot.

Other superhero-linked stars have also visited Grands Prix, including Chris Hemsworth, who plays Thor and portrayed 1976 world champion James Hunt in the motorsport film Rush. Benedict Cumberbatch hosted the post-race interviews at the 2014 Malaysian Grand Prix, although his appearance passed without a shoey.

Tom Holland waves the chequered flag in Monaco

Tom Holland, the actor who plays Spider-Man, fulfilled a motorsport fan’s dream at the 2023 Monaco Grand Prix by waving the chequered flag. The task initially looked straightforward, but the weight of the flag began to test his arm and led to a few small errors, including a knock against a camera.

Holland’s Monaco appearance continued the long-running link between the circuit and superhero cinema. The historic Grand Prix also featured prominently in Iron Man 2, released in 2010.

Kimi Antonelli’s masked Barcelona appearance

Kimi Antonelli added another playful Spider-Man moment during Free Practice 1 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Grand Prix. Unable to drive in the session because Mercedes’ third driver Frederic Vesti took the wheel for the rookie outing, Antonelli watched from the grandstands in Mercedes clothing while wearing a Spider-Man mask.

Fans and television cameras soon identified the disguised driver after spotting the mask and a curl of hair emerging from beneath his hood. It was a fittingly low-key final entry in Formula 1’s remarkable superhero crossover story.