The upcoming Grand Prix weekend in Montreal will pair high-octane racing with a playful pop-culture moment as Disney and F1 expand the Fuel the Magic campaign on-track. At the heart of the activation is a new Disney x F1 ACADEMY collection that blends motorsport styling with classic characters, bringing Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck into the paddock alongside rising women drivers. Trackside fans will encounter interactive experiences, a character-themed show car, and opportunities to buy the new range both at the circuit and online.
This collaboration also coincides with a key competitive milestone: an 18-year-old driver has been confirmed to race as the series’ Wild Card, wearing bespoke team livery and representing a global partner committed to developing female talent. Together, these entertainment and sporting elements aim to broaden the audience for F1 ACADEMY, while highlighting pathways for women in motorsport. The initiatives are timed to create momentum through the weekend with staged product drops and surprise fan moments around the Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve.
What fans will experience at Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
On-site activations center on a dedicated Fuel the Magic fan area where visitors can explore the Minnie and Daisy-inspired show car and meet the characters during scheduled surprise appearances. Beyond the spectacle, the activation emphasizes merchandise and collectibles: graphic tees, statement hoodies, and accessories in vibrant palettes designed to appeal to a new wave of supporters. The presence of familiar Disney icons alongside the F1 ACADEMY grid is intended to make the paddock feel more accessible and family-friendly while celebrating female talent competing on the track.
Fan activities and accessibility
Activation zones will offer pop-up shopping, photo opportunities, and interactive moments that combine storytelling with motorsport energy. The experience is built to be inclusive: children and long-time fans alike can find items and moments that resonate. Organizers have planned staged product releases during the weekend to keep interest high, and selected merch will be available beyond the event via official e-commerce channels, ensuring that the collaboration reaches audiences who cannot attend in person.
Merchandise drops: what’s in the collection and when to buy
The headline drop, the Disney x F1 ACADEMY collection, launches on Thursday, May 21, and blends Minnie Mouse and Daisy Duck aesthetics with race-inspired design. Key pieces include graphic tees showing the characters in F1 ACADEMY-style race suits, hoodies featuring a reimagined Minnie wheel icon, and collectible accessories such as pins, keychains and caps in bold pinks, purples and blues. Fans can shop the range trackside, on F1.com, at the F1 Grand Prix Plaza, and for select items on DisneyStore.com.
Additional collections and special releases
Montreal will not be the only drop: the broader Disney x Formula 1 program staggers releases to maintain momentum. A Core Collection rollout began with new items launching on May 15, while the Uniqlo UT pieces become available in Canada on May 18. The Velocity Collection and other lines appear on DisneyStore.com and selected physical stores, and a limited pet collection—leash, harness and waste bag holder—will be available at the F1 Hub in Montreal before wider trackside release later in June. These timed launches aim to keep conversations alive across the race weekend and beyond.
Wild Card spotlight: Autumn Fisher and Standard Chartered support
On the competitive side, Autumn Fisher will contest Round 2 of the season as the Standard Chartered Wild Card entry, running car #77 with bespoke bank livery and a tailored race suit. Autumn, who is 18 years old, previously took part in the inaugural rookie test in Navarra and earned this opportunity through her performance. The Wild Card concept was introduced in 2026 to expand the talent pipeline by giving emerging drivers experience on race weekends; it has already helped produce eight drivers who secured full-time seats on the 2026 grid.
Standard Chartered’s partnership is framed as a commitment to championing female talent and practical pathway development. Series leadership emphasized that partner-backed Wild Card entries convert ambition into access, offering a meaningful step up for young competitors. Representatives from both the bank and F1 ACADEMY expressed enthusiasm for Autumn’s debut and encouraged global colleagues and fans to support her during the Montreal weekend, underscoring how strategic partnerships can accelerate careers and raise the profile of women in motorsport.
