The winner of the Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix will not only get the points and prize money that goes along with the win, but a very unusual, and oddly interactive, trophy.
Pininfarina of America has partnered with Japanese Grand Prix Title Sponsor Lenovo to create a trophy that will celebrate the driver’s nationality, but only after the winner kisses the trophy.
Seriously.
According to Pininfarina the trophy is designed to look like the air intake of an F1 car. A micro switch connects to an array of LED lights, programmed to display the winner’s flag from a series of flag color combinations available when he kisses the trophy. The flag will be selected just before the podium ceremony based on the nationality of the winning driver.
If kissing the trophy isn’t creepy enough, a subtle light guides the driver to the exact spot to activate the colors with a kiss.
“For Pininfarina, with its unparalleled heritage rooted in the automotive tradition, it’s an honor to be a part of Formula 1’s history with this innovative tech driven trophy, created for a partner like Lenovo, which shares our deep passion,” said Paolo Trevisan, the company’s VP of Design. “Formula 1 represents the pinnacle of automotive competition, where design plays a pivotal role. Just as each car on the track stands as a testament to human dedication to innovation, our trophy embodies the essence of craftsmanship and forward-thinking aesthetics. It serves not only as a symbol of victory but also as a reflection of our rich legacy and our values of elegance, purity, and innovation.”
No word if dropping it could result in the trophy being broken, though it will only be a concern if Landon Norris is on the podium again.
I have been around and written about the sport of NASCAR for over three decades and previously worked fulltime for the Sporting News and Scripps-Howard News Service. I am also a contributor to two Chicken Soup for the Soul books including the NASCAR edition, published in 2010 and the author of “The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers’ Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing.” I am a multiple National Motorsports Press Association award winner. Early in life I spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community serving in support of Operation Just Cause, Desert Shield/Storm and ended my military career in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Read the full article here