Photography Florence Law

Behind the scenes of VCARB’s race day at the British Grand Prix

From a collaboration with Nigerian artist Slawn to an expansion of the Creator Platform, here is everything that went down at Silverstone this year

A Formula One race is a tale of two halves. Behind the walls of the bustling paddock, drivers and their teams work quietly with a calm demeanour prepping for what is, for them at least, just another grand prix weekend in a particularly unique office. For fans, however, attending a grand prix is often a rare experience, one in which they seek to lap up every moment. From a custom one-off livery to a dedicated hospitality space, Visa Cash App Racing Bulls (VCARB) took every opportunity during the British Grand Prix to connect with its fanbase in accessible ways, tapping into art, fashion, and fan culture.

THERE WAS A COLLAB WITH SLAWN

It is not uncommon for F1 teams to create limited edition liveries across a racing season; however, for their most recent grand prix, VCARB decided to do something totally new. In partnering with Nigerian-born, London-based artist Slawn and fashion brand HUGO, the team unveiled its first car in collaboration with an artist during the British GP. Revealed at the Flannels X store in London in the week running up to the hotly anticipated race, the 2025 VCARB race car became a canvas for Slawn to display his signature style – loud, uninhibited yet controlled, much like motorsports itself.

THEY REIMAGINED THE PADDOCK

To go alongside one of the fastest canvases in the world, VCARB, Slawn and HUGO worked together to reimagine the race suits of drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, wider team kits, as well as totally shaking up the VCARB garage, and the paddock as a whole, with Slawn’s striking caricature-style street art. VCARB’s racing drivers, Liam and Isack even added their own touches to the painted walls by hand, fully embracing the limited edition look.

THERE WAS A DEDICATED ZONE FOR CULTURE

While Liam and Isack focused on briefings with their engineers, performance prep sessions with their trainers, and moments to ensure they’re in the best mindset for what’s to come, VCARB and Red Bull Racing fans came together at Pole Position, the shared hospitality for the sibling teams. With the Red Bull free flowing, and the energy upbeat, VCARB hosted a pop up store offering Slawn and HUGO customised team shirts, sweaters, and baseball caps. Adjacent to the limited edition clothing stood a barber shop providing fresh cuts, as well as a custom nail art bar in association with HUGO featuring Slawn’s design, and classic chequered flag racing iconography. Next to that? A skate park looking over the Hamilton Straight – the main pit straight, renamed after the British seven-time World Champion Lewis Hamilton in 2020.

AND, OF COURSE, GOOD MUSIC

Expanding on their Creator Platform, an open-to-the-public application programme with the aim of uncovering and nurturing unique creative talent who may otherwise be flying under the radar, VCARB invited DJ TIO to bring his afrobeats and remixes to Silverstone. Playing at Pole Position on the Thursday, as well as Friday and Saturday in the Red Bull Energy Zone, TIO’s beats were yet another layer in VCARB’s continued desire to build an accessible connection with their young fanbase.

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