Latest news with #SamuelLiltorpJohnson
The Sun
10-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
New footage shows how McLaren BROKE ‘priceless' Lego F1 trophy after Lando Norris won British Grand Prix
MCLAREN'S specially-made Lego trophy won at the Formula One British Grand Prix has been BROKEN, new footage has revealed. Lando Norris won his home race for the first time ahead of team-mate Oscar Piastri in a tricky Silverstone race. 8 8 8 8 As part of F1 's partnership with Lego, the toymaker created a set of four trophies, three for the drivers and one for the constructor, which took a team of seven master builders 210 hours to design and make. The trophies were presented to the podium sitters - including Sauber's Nico Hulkenberg who scored his first podium after 239 races - and the winning constructor, McLaren, represented by technical director Peter Prodromou. However, following the podium celebrations footage emerged which revealed the constructor's trophy lying broken on the floor in multiple bits. A video shared to social media shows Prodromou desperately trying to fix the trophy, comprised of some 2,717 Lego elements. Norris is seen walking down stairs behind the podium with both the RAC Trophy and his 2kg Lego trophy - identical in parameters to the constructors - in his hands as the chaos unfolds below him. Three more people come over to check out the broken Lego Brick silverware before it is taken away. Lego's creative lead on the project, Samuel Liltorp Johnson, told SunSport about the process of creating the "priceless" trophies. He said: "It's been so many hours and everything, it's got to be priceless. "I think the experience for me, I can't really put a monetary value on that. "Being at Silverstone and just seeing all this going on and knowing we're a part of that. It's been pretty crazy." Lando Norris injured in British Grand Prix celebrations as F1 race winner walks away holding face after wall collapses Fans on social media joke about whether Norris was involved in breaking the trophy in some way. The 25-year-old previously smashed up a podium trophy at the Hungarian Grand Prix. He had hit his champagne bottle on the podium step during the celebrations, which then saw Max Verstappen's stunning porcelain trophy for winning the 2023 race smashed to pieces. One fan joked: "Are we sure Lando wasn't involved." Another added: "The McLaren trophy curse." A third said: "Just McLaren things lol." However, Norris was innocent on this occasion, but did end up with a cut nose after a photographer fell into him when a fence collapsed as the Brit went to celebrate with fans. Since then the world of F1 has been rocked by the bombshell news that Christian Horner has been sacked as team principal of Red Bull after more than 20 years. 8 8 8
Yahoo
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
How LEGO reimagined the F1 British GP trophy out of bricks
Motorsport photo It was always going to be difficult for LEGO to top its Miami Grand Prix pre-race parade, where it built drivable replicas of all 10 Formula 1 cars and put them in the hands of the best drivers in the world. Advertisement It was a spectacle the likes of which F1 had never seen before, which is saying something, as the competitive instincts of the best racers in the world kicked in and a slow-motion race ensued, with LEGO debris littering the Miami Autodromo as a result. However, while all eyes were on the amazing feat of engineering, another LEGO plan had been hatched and was assigned to designer Samuel Liltorp Johnson – create the podium trophies for the British Grand Prix, a race where the 75th anniversary of the first F1 grand prix will be toasted. Rather than starting with a blank sheet of paper, Liltorp Johnson instead spoke to F1 and to Silverstone and decided to replicate the traditional British Grand Prix trophies, including the iconic RAC cup presented to the race winner. The winners' trophy, is comprised of 2,717 LEGO bricks, weighs over 2kg and all four trophies – with the 2nd place, 3rd place and winning constructor also built of LEGO, took a team of seven builders over 210 hours to create. Advertisement 'It's probably the closest that F1 has to something like the FIFA World Cup [trophy]. So to get to do that is pretty cool,' Litorp Johnson told The Royal Automobile Club trophy and the Lego Race Winners trophy The Royal Automobile Club trophy and the Lego Race Winners trophy 'If I could tell my granddad that I had been selected to do this job he'd probably think it was probably a bit ridiculous. Just because we watched it on TV and it would be super cool just to show him. 'I remember when I said to him that I really liked LEGO and I wanted to be the guy who made LEGO toys. Imagine if I did that for the winner of the Formula 1 Grand Prix. That would be super cool to have that conversation with him. Advertisement 'I think these moments are special and they will inspire the next generation, which in my heart is my purpose as a LEGO designer is to inspire the next generation to do the things that they love as a passion.' For F1, the trophies signal a continuation of its collaboration with LEGO, allowing the series to embrace creativity in the way it can work with its partners to create memorable moments for fans. While appealing to a new generation of fandom is important, for F1 chief commercial officer Emily Prazer, keeping to the traditional design of the RAC Trophy was also key. 'Everything that LEGO has done has been super authentic to our sport, so it's not necessarily like a sponsor is just inserting themselves, even if you look at the LEGO brick boards that we launched last week in Austria and how they are placed, it's taking traditional assets and actually getting super creative with them,' she told Advertisement Lego Race Winners Trophy Lego Race Winners Trophy 'LEGO has pushed our boundaries around creativity that we can't do with many other partners because it's the physical nature of the product, which has been super exciting. But from our perspective, it's helping us to reach the demographic that we've all been desperately trying to convert. 'We acquired this audience through Drive to Survive that at the time we didn't really know how to talk to them or what they were looking for, and by partnering with the likes of LEGO and others, it's given us a lens of, how do you create content that's a lot more translatable to that audience? How do we teach the next generation of fan around some of the strategy? Advertisement 'The physical nature of LEGO is super important to how we can continue to make sure that fans can feel it, they understand it. At the same time, we're definitely not trying to alienate the traditional fans. The RAC trophy is heritage, it's part of the race, it's everything.' Instead of potentially turning off its legacy fans, Prazer feels the work with LEGO actually presents more of an opportunity to dovetail long-term supporters with those who are newer to the championship. 'This has only been done as part of a very special 75th anniversary celebration, but you look at the level of detail that's gone into these trophies, they're incredible. And I think it's a testament to LEGO, because the RAC Silverstone, the BRDC, are loving them,' she added. 'So if you want to talk about tradition coming together with the new generation of Formula 1, you couldn't have anything more kind of polar opposite, but so complementary of one another in this activation. Advertisement 'I don't think in our wildest dreams we could have understood how positively impactful the drivers' parade would be [in Miami]. And of course, that gives you confidence, but I come back to the fact that we're not just going to create activations for the sake of it. Lego Williams car at the drivers parade Lego Williams car at the drivers parade 'There has to be meaning behind it. They have to look and feel authentic. It has to resonate with the audience and the sport.' Julia Goldin, chief product and marketing officer at LEGO Group, tells there will be further such activations in the future but that they will only be used sparingly and when they feel like a natural fit – even asking for further ideas for the future. Advertisement 'We've had a really great partner that allowed us to open up the opportunity and say 'okay, let's let our collective imagination go. What can we do together? What can we tap into?',' she said. 'I think that's been so far the result of that and we are very selective, because we're not jumping after everything, but we're just going after things where we believe we can really bring tremendous value to the fans. Read Also: Formula 1 rolls out full-size LEGO cars for Miami GP drivers' parade 'What we are wanting to do with this partnership, in particular, is to bring that creativity and enormous possibilities of the brick and shine a new light on that and do it in a way that actually brings a tonne of value to the fans and to the partnership. Advertisement 'We're really very, very happy to have this opportunity. To put the stamp of the LEGO brick and LEGO creativity on this kind of celebration, and to support F1 and to support Silverstone. I think it's just a tremendous opportunity, and I think you can see from the efforts that went into building these trophies that it's been taken very seriously.' Photos from British GP - Race Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Clive Rose / Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images Alex Albon, Williams Alex Albon, Williams Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Advertisement Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari with his dog Roscoe Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari with his dog Roscoe Jakub Porzycki - NurPhoto - Getty Images Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber and Isabella Bernardini Gabriel Bortoleto, Sauber and Isabella Bernardini Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images Alexandra Saint Mleux and Leo Alexandra Saint Mleux and Leo Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images Franco Colapinto, Alpine Franco Colapinto, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Skateboarder Tony Hawk Skateboarder Tony Hawk Jayce Illman / Getty Images Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Lance Stroll, Aston Martin Racing Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Advertisement Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson Ed Westwick and Amy Jackson Bryn Lennon / Formula 1 via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images David Richards, Ron Meadows, Sporting Director of Mercedes F1 Team David Richards, Ron Meadows, Sporting Director of Mercedes F1 Team Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Haas F1 fans Haas F1 fans Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images British Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay British Olympic swimmer Adam Peaty and Holly Ramsay Kym Illman / Getty Images Adam Norris Adam Norris Jakub Porzycki - NurPhoto - Getty Images Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Nico Hulkenberg, Sauber Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Franco Colapinto, Alpine Franco Colapinto, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Advertisement Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Rasid Necati Aslim / Anadolu via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Rain over the paddock Rain over the paddock Erwin Jaeggi Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Tony Hawk Pierre Gasly, Alpine, Franco Colapinto, Alpine, Tony Hawk Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Kevin Magnussen Kevin Magnussen Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Oliver Bearman, Haas F1 Team Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Advertisement Lego Race Winners Trophies Lego Race Winners Trophies Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images Kaleb Cooper poses for a photo outside the McLaren garage Kaleb Cooper poses for a photo outside the McLaren garage Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images Lego Race Winners Trophy Lego Race Winners Trophy Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images Rishi Sunak outside the McLaren garage Rishi Sunak outside the McLaren garage Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Lewis Hamilton, Ferrari Andy Hone/ LAT Images via Getty Images Jordan 194 Hart on track for the Eddie Jordan tribute. Jordan 194 Hart on track for the Eddie Jordan tribute. Simon Galloway / LAT Images via Getty Images Advertisement Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Charles Leclerc, Ferrari Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, Pierre Gasly, Alpine Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Esteban Ocon, Haas F1 Team Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Tony Hawk outside the Alpine garage Tony Hawk outside the Alpine garage Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Isack Hadjar, Racing Bulls Team Red Bull Content Pool Heinz-Harald Frentzen and his daughters Heinz-Harald Frentzen and his daughters Mark Sutton / Formula 1 via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Alex Albon, Williams Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing, Alex Albon, Williams Red Bull Content Pool Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls Team Red Bull Content Pool Advertisement Vin Diesel on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain. Vin Diesel on the grid prior to the F1 Grand Prix of Great Britain. Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Pierre Gasly, Alpine Pierre Gasly, Alpine Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images Smoke fills the air prior to the start. Smoke fills the air prior to the start. Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images The Red Arrows fly over the grid. The Red Arrows fly over the grid. Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Yuki Tsunoda, Red Bull Racing Team Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images Oscar Piastri, McLaren Oscar Piastri, McLaren Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Andy Hone / LAT Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Clive Rose / Getty Images Advertisement Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Zak Mauger / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren Lando Norris, McLaren Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Fernando Alonso, Aston Martin Racing Sam Bloxham / LAT Images via Getty Images Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Lando Norris, McLaren, Oscar Piastri, McLaren, Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes George Russell, Mercedes, Andrea Kimi Antonelli, Mercedes Glenn Dunbar / LAT Images via Getty Images Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing Steven Tee / LAT Images via Getty Images To read more articles visit our website.
Stuff.tv
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- Stuff.tv
Lego made a life-sized trophy for the British Grand Prix – I talked to the designer to find out how it was built
The British Grand Prix podium usually sparkles with heritage, from the champagne showers to the iconic Royal Automobile Club (RAC) trophy. But this year, it's about bricks. For the first time ever, the Formula 1 winners at Silverstone are being handed Lego trophies. And yes, they're full-sized, fully built and totally amazing. To mark the 75th anniversary of the first-ever Formula 1 World Championship race – held right here at Silverstone in 1950 – Lego and Formula 1 teamed up to create something unexpected: four LEGO-built trophies, inspired by the historic RAC design, and handed to the top three drivers and the winning constructor. Naturally, I had questions. So I caught up with the man behind the brickwork: Samuel Liltorp Johnson, Creative Lead at the Lego Group and the designer of the Lego F1 trophies. 'I joined the Lego F1 team around Easter,' Sam told me from a commentary booth trackside at Silverstone. 'The idea came from wanting to do something really special for the 75th anniversary – and Silverstone just made sense.' Working closely with both Silverstone and Formula 1, the team settled on a design that would honour the past while doing something totally fresh. The result? A gold-topped Lego trophy for the winner, made up of exactly 2,717 Lego elements, standing over 59cm tall and weighing more than 2kg. The second and third-place trophies are similar but use white Lego with red and blue accents, respectively, while the constructor's trophy goes dark blue and gold. 'The RAC trophy is so iconic,' Sam said. 'We wanted to pay tribute to it with the shape and colour – but also surprise the drivers with something playful and unexpected.' Building something this intricate, and more importantly, sturdy, wasn't straightforward. 'I actually looked into whether we'd need a non-Lego structure inside,' Sam explained. 'But we managed to make it 100% Lego – using a Technic spine to hold it all together.' The builds were a proper team effort. Seven Lego model builders in Billund, Denmark, spent over 210 hours crafting the four trophies. They even glued the outer layers to make sure nothing goes flying during the post-race celebrations. 'We saw what happened with those Lego cars in Miami,' Sam laughed. 'We didn't want to sweep up 2,000 pieces off the podium.' So what's it like seeing your creation handed to a world-class driver in front of millions of fans? 'Honestly? Surreal,' he said. 'As a toy designer, there's a huge buzz when you see a kid choose your set in a shop. But this is something else. This is global. And my grandad, who watched races with me when I was little, would have thought this was the coolest thing ever.' For Sam, it's not just about creating a one-off showpiece. It's about bringing Lego into the F1 world in a way that makes sense – and makes people smile. 'It has to look and feel special,' he said. 'We've put everything into it.' There's a playful side to the whole idea, but also a clear aim: to engage new fans. Lego and Formula 1's ongoing partnership has already seen ten full-sized, drivable Lego F1 cars take to the track in Miami, and immersive fan experiences pop up across the world under the 'Build the Thrill' banner. These trophies are the latest brick in that growing relationship. And the drivers? They get to keep them. Champagne-soaked and all. 'They'll need a wash afterwards, but they're proper trophies,' Sam said. 'Straight to the trophy cabinet.' Asked who he'd like to see hoist the Lego trophy, Sam smiled. 'As a kid, I watched with my dad and grandad – we had the Ceefax page on at the same time for football results! Honestly, it would be brilliant if a British driver won today. That would just feel right.' So what's next for Lego F1? 'We've got a few things up our sleeve. There's a big red Lego brick that pops up sometimes on Instagram… but who knows? Hopefully this weekend goes well, and we'll get to build more of these in the future.' You can explore the full Lego F1 range on Lego's US website and Lego's UK website. Liked this? These are the best large Lego sets
The Sun
06-07-2025
- Automotive
- The Sun
Major change to F1 trophies at British Grand Prix for first time ever and they took 210 HOURS to make
FORMULA ONE and Lego have taken the next step in their relationship at the British Grand Prix. As Lewis Hamilton and co battle on track, the three podium sitters at Silverstone will be presented with a set of stunning trophies made completely out of Lego Bricks. 12 12 12 12 12 The partnership comes as part of F1 's 75th anniversary celebrations at the iconic racetrack after it hosted the first ever F1 race in 1950. A team of seven master builders spent a combined 210 hours meticulously designing and crafting four trophies - three for the drivers and one for the constructor - at the Lego model shop in Billund, Denmark. Inspired by the RAC (Royal Automobile Club) trophy - handed to seven-time Hamilton after he won last year's race at Silverstone - the new one-of-a-kind first place trophy shows off a stunning golden tint. Standing at over 23 inches tall, the first place trophy is comprised of a staggering 2,717 Lego elements and weighs more than 2kg - while the constructors trophy shares the same characteristics. The second and third place trophies are no less impressive a feat of Lego engineering for the first-ever version of the prize. They also consist of 2,298 Lego elements each, both weigh in at 1.5kg and stand at over 17 inches tall. But for Samuel Liltorp Johnson, Lego's creative lead on the project, the trophies are the end of a "magic" journey. Speaking exclusively to SunSport from Silverstone, Samuel reveals the project was something he had dreamed of since he was a kid - despite the project being very stressful as it only landed on his desk around Easter time. BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK He said: "To be honest, if I could tell my my grandad when I was a kid that this was something that I would do, he'd probably be like, 'as if, mate'. "But for me it was something we did together in my family when I was a kid, we watched F1. Charles Leclerc swears NINE TIMES in nine seconds in stunning F-word blast after qualifying blow at British Grand Prix "The process of going through this, it's been a bit breakneck speed, to be honest, like a real F1 race. "We found out about it not that long ago, and we've really wanted to give it all and what it deserves, and we've been working very closely with the Silverstone team. "I think, after all of that passion from both sides, learning each other's stories and what it means, I think that's really made it something that's turned out quite beautiful." Samuel emphasises the team wanted to create a trophy infused with the heritage and magic of F1 combined with the Lego flair. But it was a hard ask, with a completely new process for making the Lego Bricks being implemented to ensure they met the "breakneck" deadline. Regardless, Samuel believes the team has "made magic" and hopes fans will enjoy the fruits of their labour. He adds: "I think it's a dream of everyone to be here at the pinnacle of F1 on its 75th birthday... "We talked about the RAC trophy being a very beautiful piece of sculpture, and when you try and replicate that in square bricks it's a bit of a challenge to get it 100 per cent perfect. "But we didn't want it to be a copy, it should be inspired by it, so one of the things that we put on that was kind of a bit outrageous, but we wanted to be playful with it as well. "We have one of our F1 collectable cars mounted on the front of the trophy, so there's actually a car on the trophy and also a little Lego Brick on the top, so that's just kind of our signature, if you like, on the item itself." Samuel also feels the trophies are priceless, saying: "It's been so many hours and everything, it's got to be priceless. "I think the experience for me, I can't really put a monetary value on that. "Being at Silverstone and just seeing all this going on and knowing we're a part of that. "It's been pretty crazy." Samuel keeps talk of any future projects under wraps but insists he does not expect the partnership to go away anytime soon. Lego previously created a set of life-size Lego F1 cars which the drivers had a blast driving around in before the Miami Grand Prix. 12 12 12 12
