Image: Lotus F1
Hollywood and Formula One have an interesting relationship. There have been just a handful of movies, like the classic Grand Prix, the incredible documentary Senna and the upcoming and promising Ron Howard film, Rush. But the advertising partnerships are strong, with Tinseltown often going overboard with its promotions. Fortunately, for us, these promotions are often associated with very geeky movies.
In 2005, the Red Bull Formula One team introduced a special livery for the Monaco Grand Prix that prominently featured ads for Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. What’s more, the pit crew wore helmets and uniforms that made them resemble stormtroopers; the lollipop man looked like Darth Vader. Returning to Monaco a year later, the Red Bull team dressed its drivers in capes and an iconic “S” on their chests in promotion of the movie Superman Returns. The team’s cars also featured a Superman livery.
This year, Hollywood returns – not to the glitz of Monaco, but to the home of British motor racing, Silverstone – for the British Grand Prix. In anticipation of the imminent release of The Dark Knight Rises, Lotus F1 will feature special advertising for the movie on its two cars. Additionally, the tumbler was on track prior to Thursday practice, before Pastor Maldonado reportedly ran it off at Maggotts. The Lotus pit crew are supposed to wear special Batman uniforms this weekend too. Will they be dressed as Bane’s henchmen? As loyal Gordon cops or (forbid the thought) in skintight Catwoman suits? Tune in to Friday practice or Saturday qualifying on Speed or watch the race on Fox on Sunday to find out.
