This Formula 1 season is gearing up to be the most exciting—and magical—yet. The 2026 F1 season officially kicks off with the Qatar Airways Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, this March 5-8. Things are already heating up as new teams and tracks join this year’s lineup, and a slate of new rules and regulations promises to add an extra dose of racing drama. The Cadillac F1 team will debut this season, putting two beloved drivers—Sergio Perez and Valtteri Bottas—back in the driver’s seats. Meanwhile, the Spanish Grand Prix heads to the new Madrid hybrid street circuit, replacing the Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy.
Of course, the excitement is revving up off the track, too. On Feb. 25, it was announced that actor Damson Idris, star of “F1 The Movie,“ is F1’s new Global Brand Ambassador. And today, another pop culture icon has unveiled plans for the 2026 season.
Mickey Mouse is back after Disney debuted its first F1 collection at the Las Vegas Grand Prix last fall. The brand’s “Fuel the Magic” campaign is expanding this year as Disney increases its presence at more races. The multi-year collaboration kicked off in Vegas with appearances from Mickey and Friends in the pit lane, a Disney-themed show at the Bellagio Fountains conducted by the mouse himself, and a streetwear-inspired merchandise collection that became one of the year’s hottest F1 buys.
The campaign continues at the Australian Grand Prix and will ramp up at the Chinese Grand Prix in mid-March in Shanghai.
“Formula 1 and Disney sparked a cultural moment felt worldwide—and it was only the beginning. This year is about turning that moment into a season‐long story,” Tasia Filippatos, president of Disney Consumer Products, said in a statement shared with Travel + Leisure.
Emily Prazer, chief commercial officer of Formula 1, added, “The continuation of our ‘Fuel the Magic’ campaign with Disney is far greater than just a sports partnership, but one that leverages both Formula 1 and Disney’s power of immersive cultural storytelling and engaging entertainment.”
So far, we know that this year will include a Webtoon comic series featuring Mickey and Friends in the world of racing, along with new merchandise. Select 2026 F1 races, beginning with the Chinese Grand Prix, will have retail pop-ups selling race-specific collections. An eyewear collection from Gentle Monster in collaboration with Disney is among this year’s first drops, with more partnerships expected throughout the season.
And of course, fan-favorite characters will also appear—dressed in their F1 finest—at races throughout the year, with select race weekends featuring special Disney experiences and entertainment.
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