Lightning McQueen to make special F1 debut at Italian GP to mark 20-year anniversary

LIGHTNING McQUEEN will make his F1 debut and is set to take an honorary lap around Monza. F1 and Disney are marking the film’s 20-year anniversary at one of the sport’s most iconic race tracks. Lightning McQueen will do an honorary lap around Monza this weekend Credit: Shutterstock Editorial McQueen was voiced by Hollywood legend Owen Wilson Credit: Shutterstock Editorial The safety car has also had a Cars-inspired makeover for the weekend Credit: Shutterstock Editorial Lewis Hamilton featured in Cars 2 and Cars 3 Credit: Handout The character from the film ‘Cars’, who is voiced by Owen Wilson, made his debut in the original 2006 film before returning in Cars 2 in 2011 and Cars 3 in 2017. McQueen arrived in Monza with a new F1-inspired design, while the Mercedes-AMG safety car used at grands prix has also been given a Cars makeover for the weekend. Sign up for the Sport newsletter Thank you! Cars is a 2006 American animated sports comedy film produced by Pixar for Walt Disney Pictures. Lewis Hamilton connected with the Pixar Cars franchise by making cameo appearances and voicing characters alongside Lightning McQueen in Cars 2 and Cars 3. Hamilton voiced an animated, chrome-black version of his own racing character—a McLaren MP4-12C—who competes against Lightning McQueen in the World Grand Prix. F1 and Disney recently extended their ‘Fuel the Magic’ partnership through the end of the 2028 season. The collaboration mainly focused on Mickey Mouse to begin with and his assortment of Disney pals. It made its race-weekend debut at last year’s Las Vegas Grand Prix with a bonkers show featuring Mickey at the Bellagio fountains. Most read in Sport BEST FREE BETS AND BETTING SIGN UP OFFERS The best travel deals for F1 NOTHING comes close to the thrill of a live Grand Prix – and YOU can be there to see it all. Get the full F1 experience with these unbeatable deals. 🇮🇹 ITALY – 3 to 8 Sept – From £789pp 🇦🇿 AZERBAIJAN – 22 to 27 Sept – From £1,399pp 🇸🇬 SINGAPORE– 7 to 14 Oct – From £1,999pp 🇺🇸 AUSTIN, USA – 21 to 26 Oct – From £2,799pp 🇶🇦 QATAR – 27 to 29 Nov – From £1,049pp 🇦🇪 ABU DHABI – 4 to 6 Dec – From £2,049pp See ALL our F1 travel offers HERE *If you click on a link in this article, we will earn affiliate revenue. Mickey and his gang even led a gang of enthusiastic fans on a walk down the pit lane on Thursday at the race. Mickey, Goofy, Donald Duck and Co in the Disneyland Band also performed the national anthem pre-race and featured in the post-race driver celebrations at the Bellagio fountains. Comment now