The story behind the LEGO® Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY™ set

We’re honored to partner with F1 ACADEMY™, a racing series that aims to drive change in motorsports by supporting and inspiring the next generation of female talent.

The LEGO® Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY™ LEGO® Race Car is the latest in our lineup of great Formula 1® sets and the first in our partnership. To find out more, we spoke to Beatrice Amoretti, a Design Master, and Maria Jędryszek, a Model Designer, who both worked on the set.

So, buckle up, and let’s go!

An obsession with speed

“I’ve always been around motorsport,” says Beatrice, after we ask about her past. “I grew up in a family where races were basically always on TV at the weekend, so it just felt like part of everyday life. At the same time, I am super into fashion and design, so I loved the visual side of it too: the colors, the branding, the style. Over time, that mix of motorsport and fashion turned into a real appreciation for Formula 1 and everything around it.”

For Maria, working on this set was the catalyst.

“I only got to dive deeper in the F1® world when I joined this project and instantly got sucked in,” she says. “It’s been great to follow the incredible work that the drivers, engineers and coaches put into this sport.”

Together, Beatrice and Maria were perfectly placed to step into the driving seat of the new project.

Building a winning set

From early on, the design development conversations started to home in on a look that would be eye-catching, but would also pay tribute to the heritage of the car and the series.

“We went all out with bold colors, expressive typography and a design language that mixes both racing adrenaline and the iconic LEGO universe,” says Beatrice. “The colors link the LEGO set with F1 ACADEMY, and we added playful touches like a dynamic checkered pattern that visually translates the feeling of speed. Fans might also spot a tiny little detail: the number 32, as a nod to the LEGO Group’s founding year.”

Maria also emphasizes the importance of getting the shape exactly right.

“It was important to get the right shaping and proportion that would also fit into our Speed Champions lineup,” she says. “Speed Champions is known for its interesting, sometimes quite experimental building techniques. In this case, it was particularly challenging to get the width of the car right, as we had to fit the minifigure in, but the width of this car is a bit narrower than the F1 cars. So, we had to push the tile just about a quarter of the module in, using some brackets and a lamp holder element. We got to add some fun little Easter eggs, too. The nose is built as a sub-build, as a nod to the detachable noses on the real cars.”

This completed set features a cockpit, rear wing and tires imprinted with Pirelli, and includes a female F1 ACADEMY driver minifigure that kids can place inside the cockpit for play or display.

Breaking new ground

Even though it was the latest of many F1 sets, Beatrice, Maria and their team never lost sight of the fact that this set meant something more.

“This set is really special because it’s part of something bigger,” says Beatrice. “F1 ACADEMY is all about developing and inspiring female drivers, and being able to contribute to that mission through design felt amazing. Working on the visuals and creative direction reminded me why I love what I do, and it was even more meaningful knowing that the set can spark confidence, creativity and inspiration for the next generation of girls. It’s not just about creating something cool; it’s about helping show what’s possible.”

Maria couldn’t agree more.

“I think that representation really matters,” she says. “Celebrating achievements, bringing visibility to these cases, might feel like just a small stepping stone in making a change, but it slowly turns niche into norm. I’m proud to play a part in that change.”

From the start to the checkered flag, this set has been a point of passion and pride for these designers and their team. If you want to share in that passion, then get your hands on the LEGO Speed Champions F1 ACADEMY set now.