Williams Racing has announced that the rear wing design for their FW46 cars, driven by Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto, has been selected by fans in an online contest. The striking fan-created design will feature on the cars during the 2024 Formula 1 Pirelli United States Grand Prix in Austin, Texas, next weekend. This special event will also mark Albon’s 100th Formula 1 race.
The design competition is part of the ongoing “Rear Wing Takeover” initiative, a collaboration between Williams Racing and their Official Crypto and Web3 Partner, Kraken. This initiative is aimed at deepening fan engagement through innovative digital experiences. For the second year, tens of thousands of fans worldwide were invited to vote for their favourite design, which will be prominently displayed on the rear wings of the two race cars.
Fans were given the opportunity to submit their own unique digital alter egos, created through the Williams Racing Cosmos Collection – a set of digital assets designed by renowned Web3 artist Candy Apple. Over 100,000 Williams supporters who are part of the team’s Grid Pass programme received personalised digital collectibles for free and had the chance to see their characters featured on the car’s livery. From these entries, 12 designs were shortlisted and subjected to three rounds of public voting, ultimately leading to the selection of the winning design.
In total, more than 35,000 votes were cast in the contest, with the winning design showcasing Cosmos Collection characters dressed in clothing inspired by different eras from Williams Racing’s illustrious history. These digital characters will now take centre stage on the cars during one of Formula 1’s most anticipated events.
James Bower, Commercial Director of Williams Racing, said, “We are always looking for innovative ways to showcase our proud F1 history and bold ambition to our growing global fanbase, and the Williams Racing Cosmos Collection is a perfect example of that. Combining iconic Williams Racing branding with leading Web3 technology has proven hugely popular, and we are looking forward to seeing this eye-catching design out on track.”
Candy Apple, the Web3 artist behind the Cosmos Collection, expressed her excitement over the project: “This was incredibly special to me! It allowed me to combine the cutting-edge technology of blockchain with the rich, iconic history of Williams Racing. Having my art featured on the rear wing of a Formula 1 car is beyond special. As a Web3 creator, it’s particularly unique – offering a creative and exciting way for digital collectibles to be seen by the world. My ultimate goal has always been to just make people smile, and I’m grateful to Kraken and Williams for helping make that more of a reality.”
Kraken’s Chief Marketing Officer, Mayur Gupta, highlighted the importance of fan-driven initiatives in the partnership: “At Kraken, we’re passionate about empowering creators and fans alike through Web3 technologies. The Rear Wing Takeover contest is a testament to the power of community-driven initiatives, and we’re excited to see the Williams Racing Cosmos Collection come to life on the Williams Racing cars. By combining innovative technology, design, and fan engagement, we’re helping push the boundary of what’s possible in the world of motorsports.”
Fans attending the race weekend in Austin will also have the opportunity to view the winning design up close on a Williams showcar at the team’s Fan Zone in the city centre, as part of the Kraken partnership. For more information, please visit WilliamsF1.com/fan-zone