Disney And Pixar’s ‘Cars’ Races Into 20th Anniversary With An F1 Partnership And Enduring Legacy

When Disney and Formula 1 announced an extension of their popular Fuel the Magic collaboration in August 2026, it was also announced that the popular Disney and Pixar Cars franchise would be entering the circuit for the first time. The Cars collection and experiences at Formula 1 Gran Premio d'Italia 2026 in Monza may be Disney and Formula 1's most natural collaborations yet. Not only will Lightning McQueen make an appearance at the race, he'll be the star of a co-branded Car merchandise collection. But a new character entering the grid is about a lot more than just slapping one of Pixar's most recognizable figures onto a co-branded T-shirt.

What began as Mickey and Friends branded merchandise at races and online, plus trackside activations at select events, has turned into a creative flurry where both Disney and Formula 1 fans can easily enter and experience both ecosystems . Then you add in Cars , a franchise that already speaks to racing fans around the world, and you've got the green flag for a successful collaboration.

"For 20 years, Cars has introduced generations of kids and families to the world of racing through Lightning McQueen's journey, making the franchise uniquely positioned to connect with fans of the sport. As Formula 1 continues to capture the attention of audiences around the world, bringing these two iconic racing brands together is a natural fit. Through experiences, content and product collaborations with partners like Mattel, we're creating new ways for fans to celebrate the world of Cars ," Paul Gitter, Executive Vice President of Global Brand Commercialization at Disney Consumer Products, tells me.

The Multi-Generational Charm Of 'Cars'

Today, the Cars franchise is multi-generational. Parents who watched Cars as kids now potentially have children of their own, continuing to build Lightning McQueen's fanbase through movies and TV shows like a recently announced Disney Jr. series, Cars: Lightning Racers . There's also the upcoming Cars -themed land, Piston Peak National Park, coming to Walt Disney World's Magic Kingdom and of course, the Cars -branded partnership with Formula 1.

"On the surface, Cars is about the thrill of high-speed racing, the flashing lights, roaring crowds, and fierce competition. But at its heart, it's a story about personal growth, resilience and the power of teamwork. For the past 20 years, those themes have connected audiences of all ages to the world of racing in a way that is both exciting and deeply relatable. That's why this collaboration with Formula 1 feels so natural," Jim Morris, President of Pixar Animation Studios tells me.

The numbers surrounding the Cars franchise's popularity don't lie either. Lightning McQueen is ranked number one among Pixar characters for boys ages 3 to 13. Cars content has generated more than 2 billion hours of watch time globally. Even more recently, Disney's announcement that Cars would be heading to Monza as the next character collaboration with Formula 1 garnered 1 million likes and 16.1 million views on Instagram , showcasing the franchise's enduring power.

What makes this even more interesting is that even though Cars is a fictional world based around American stock cars, Formula 1 data shows that the United States is one of its most progressive markets, with massive fan growth, specifically with younger audiences who are exposed to the sport via digital platforms. Cars planted the seed of motorsports culture, and now Disney is capitalizing on that with its Formula 1 partnership.

"Being at the Italian Grand Prix in Monza, you can feel firsthand the incredible energy that surrounds the sport. While the drivers may be in the spotlight, every moment on the track is made possible by the teamwork, dedication and expertise happening behind the scenes. At their core, Cars and Formula 1 share the same values: the importance of community, perseverance and striving for excellence together. Bringing these worlds together is a meaningful way to celebrate the culture of racing while introducing a new generation of fans to what makes the sport so special," Morris continues.

Beyond The Starting Grid To Store Shelves

When the original Cars film was released 20 years ago, it debuted at number one at the weekend box office, earning about $62.8 million in the United States. During its first theatrical release, it made around $462 million worldwide. The film is set for a theatrical re-release this weekend. Fans of the film are in good company too. In 2024, current Formula 1 driver Liam Lawson said Cars was one of his favorite movies.

In 2011, Disney said merchandise tied to the Cars franchise generated more than $8 billion in global retail sales. Today the merchandise licensing deals span generations and styles, ranging from LEGO Speed Champions set and battery powered Lightning McQueen cars for kids and nostalgic adults to Loungefly mini backpacks that are popular in the Disney theme parks and an upcoming Crocs launch themed to the fictional Dinoco oil and gas company from the Cars movies. Since 2016, more than 144 million Cars products have been sold in the United States, equaling nearly 44,000 branded items sold every day.

Nearly 20 years after the first Cars movie release, Lightning McQueen is more popular than ever, and Disney's continued expansion within the Cars universe proves that number 95 is here to stay.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com