Formula 1 drivers took LEGO go-karts for a lap at the 2026 British Grand Prix, and several called the experience thrilling, awkward, and even risky at the same time.
What The LEGO Go-Karts Are
Twenty two drivers each got their own LEGO minicar for the Drivers’ Parade at Silverstone. Each minicar was built from more than 28,000 LEGO bricks and included extra parts needed to make it fully drivable. Development and construction of all 22 cars took over 6,400 combined working hours, according to the Jay’s Brick Blog. LEGOJay’s Brick Blog
Speed And Build Specs
The karts were built for looks first, but they could still move. Each minicar was capable of reaching speeds up to 25 km/h, and the karts weighed about 280 kg each, with 65 kg of that weight coming from the LEGO bricks themselves. Every kart also came fitted with standard go-kart wheels, according to ESPN. Jay’s Brick BlogESPN
| Detail | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total bricks per car | Over 28,000 |
| Build hours (combined) | 6,400+ |
| Top speed | 25 km/h (about 15 mph) |
| Weight per car | 280 kg (65 kg in bricks) |
| Number of cars | 22 |
How This Builds On The Miami Parade
This was not the first time LEGO built drivable cars for a Formula 1 event. At the 2025 Miami Grand Prix, LEGO produced 10 larger two-seat cars made of almost 400,000 bricks each, weighing about 1,500 kg. For the British Grand Prix, LEGO switched to smaller, single-seat karts so that every driver had their own car instead of sharing with a teammate, as reported by GPFans. GPfans
What Drivers Actually Said About Driving Them
Reactions from the grid were mixed. Lance Stroll said he felt indifferent about taking part, while Max Verstappen said he would rather have a normal drivers’ parade. Lewis Hamilton went further, calling the LEGO parade the most dangerous part of the entire race weekend. Hamilton had also said beforehand that he was unsure if he would even take part, according to ESPN. GPfansGPfans
Verstappen’s Direct Criticism
Verstappen was the most vocal critic of the format. He said the drivers are not clowns, pushing back on the LEGO race concept ahead of the parade. He added that he would prefer a simple ride around the track, such as in an electric truck, instead of driving a novelty kart in front of fans, based on comments carried by Sky Sports. gpfans
Why F1 And LEGO Brought This Back
Organizers pointed to fan reaction from the year before as the reason for expanding the idea. Formula 1’s Chief Commercial Officer Emily Prazer said the Miami parade was one of the most memorable and talked about moments of the 2025 season. LEGO’s Chief Product and Marketing Officer Julia Goldin said fans and drivers both wanted more after Miami, which led to this new 2.0 version of the parade, according to LEGO.com. Formula 1LEGO
When The Parade Took Place
The parade ran ahead of the main race on race day. The 2026 LEGO Drivers Parade took place on Sunday, July 5, 2026, at 1pm local time, about two hours before the race start. Coverage of the parade was shown on Formula 1’s official broadcast partners, including build up coverage from Sky Sports. Jay’s Brick Blog
