Credit: DisneyA special Formula 1 show car inspired by Mickey Mouse is now on display in Tomorrowland at Shanghai Disneyland. This car, along with new racing costumes for Mickey and Minnie, is part of the “Fuel the Magic” collaboration between Disney and Formula 1, expanding their partnership to bring the excitement of racing to Disney parks and Formula 1 events. The launch coincides with the Chinese Grand Prix, scheduled for March 13-15, 2026.
The show car features a vibrant Mickey-inspired design, with Mickey’s autograph near the driver’s seat. It will be showcased near TRON Lightcycle Run, linking two high-speed experiences at the park. Mickey and Minnie will also appear at the Main Entrance in new Formula 1-themed costumes, reflecting their roles as racing super-fans. These costumes signify how Disney modernizes its classic characters to align with contemporary partnerships, such as Formula 1 racing.
The Chinese Grand Prix & Mickey Mouse Connection
At the Chinese Grand Prix this weekend will be a “Fuel the Magic” fanzone with branded merchandise, including race-specific pieces inspired by Shanghai as the host city, and a core Disney x Formula 1 collection available at the F1 Hub and Grand Prix Plaza, as well as online at F1.com and the Amazon F1 Store for U.S. customers. The fanzone retail pop-ups feature new, branded merchandise inspired by each host city, creating localized collections that celebrate the unique character of each Formula 1 race location throughout the 2026 season.
Special Disney entertainment moments, including appearances by Mickey & Friends sporting their Formula 1 fandom in a stylish new way, will bring Disney magic to the racing environment, creating family-friendly entertainment at events that traditionally skew toward adult motorsport enthusiasts. The integration of Disney characters and entertainment into Formula 1 race weekends is a strategic effort to broaden the sport’s appeal to families and younger audiences while exposing Disney fans to the excitement of international motorsport.
The “Fuel the Magic” Campaign With Mickey Mouse
Disney and Formula 1 are continuing their multi-year “Fuel the Magic” collaboration with even more ways for fans to experience the thrill of racing through the storytelling and style of Mickey & Friends, with the partnership expanding significantly for the 2026 race season. Beginning this March at the Australian Grand Prix and kicking into high gear at the Chinese Grand Prix, “Fuel the Magic” waves the green flag on a season-long journey across select race weekends with original content, immersive entertainment with racing super-fans Mickey Mouse and Minnie Mouse, and new global product drops inspired by racing culture and the energy of each host city.
The multi-year collaboration launched in Las Vegas in 2025 with the first Disney x Formula 1 collection, establishing foundation for ongoing partnership that combines Disney’s storytelling capabilities and character portfolio with Formula 1’s global reach and cultural cachet. The expansion for 2026 demonstrates both companies’ commitment to the partnership and their belief that the collaboration resonates with audiences across different demographics and markets.
Original Racing-Inspired Content
Disney and WEBTOON have teamed up to create “Mickey x F1 Racing to the Top!” as an original vertical comics series, debuting during the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix and running exclusively on WEBTOON’s global platform, with new episodes dropping throughout the 2026 race season in sync with each race weekend. Designed for a new generation of fans, the series introduces fresh characters, themes, and high-stakes scenarios that blend the creativity and imagination of Mickey & Friends with the drama and teamwork of elite racing.
In this all-new adventure, Mickey Mouse, Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy rally together to help a racing team in crisis, proving that friendship and collaboration are always the winning strategy, creating a narrative that reinforces Disney’s brand values while engaging with Formula 1’s competitive racing context. The vertical comics format reflects WEBTOON’s mobile-first platform, designed for scrolling on smartphones, making the content accessible to younger, digital-native audiences who primarily consume entertainment on mobile devices.
Gentle Monster Eyewear Collaboration
Gentle Monster will introduce the 2026 Circuit Collection as a global eyewear collaboration with Disney and Formula 1 that reimagines the structural language of F1 cars through a bold, fashion-forward lens. The collection includes 8 styles made with lightweight materials for enhanced practicality, including three designs inspired by Disney’s Mickey and Friends, bringing high-fashion sensibility to the Disney x Formula 1 partnership.
The launch will also include immersive pop-up experiences in Seoul and Shanghai, where a monumental Mickey Mouse sculpture will stand alongside an F1 car, bringing the high-energy spirit of “Fuel the Magic” to life in spectacular style. The Seoul and Shanghai locations reflect strategic focus on Asian markets where both Disney and Formula 1 have significant presence and growth opportunities, with China representing a particularly important market for both brands.
Expanded Mickey Mouse Merchandise Strategy
Following the debut of the first Disney x Formula 1 collection in Las Vegas last year, Disney Store will introduce additional releases beginning with a Mickey Mouse plush in a Formula 1 uniform launching exclusively in Australia in time for the Australian Grand Prix with a global roll-out planned later this year. New collaborations across apparel, accessories, collectibles, plush, and more will offer a distinct interpretation of racing culture through the lens of Mickey & Friends, creating diverse product portfolio that appeals to different consumer segments from children wanting plush toys to adults seeking fashion-forward accessories.
The Strategic Partnership
The “Fuel the Magic” collaboration represents a strategic partnership that benefits both Disney and Formula 1 by exposing each brand to the other’s audience and creating new revenue streams through merchandise, content, and experiential activations. For Disney, the partnership provides access to Formula 1’s passionate global fanbase and association with the prestige and excitement of international motorsport, while for Formula 1, the Disney partnership helps broaden appeal to families and younger audiences who might not otherwise engage with racing.
The placement of the Formula 1 show car near TRON Lightcycle Run at Shanghai Disneyland serves as a physical manifestation of the partnership in Disney’s theme park, demonstrating how the collaboration extends beyond merchandise and digital content to include experiential elements guests encounter during park visits.