The Dutch Grand Prix is taking place at Circuit Zandvoort and LEGO Racing has a new livery for its F1 ACADEMY car, inspired by Botanicals 11501 Tulip Bouquet.
Esmee Kosterman is the first driver for LEGO Racing, the new team that the LEGO Group is funding. The Dutch Grand Prix at Circuit Zandvoort is a home race for Esmee and to mark that occasion, her car is decked out in a new livery that matches her new helmet and race suit – all inspired by Botanicals 11501 Tulip Bouquet.
Design Manager Ashwin Visser, who also hails from the Netherlands, has led the design of the livery, helmet and race suit. They feature dozens of tulips, the Dutch flag and a lion, all paying tribute to Esmee’s home country.
The livery specifically features a tulip made from LEGO bricks blooms on the nose of the car beneath her race number. Esmee’s name is spelled out on her race suit using LEGO bricks in the unique tulip theme.
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“When you think of the Netherlands, tulips are a natural fit,” says Ashwin, who has also served as Brickmaster on LEGO Masters. “That made it easy for us to decide on the theme for Esmee’s home-race design. At the same time, we didn’t want to move completely away from the yellow look of her standard livery because that colour stands out so well on track. That’s why the design focuses more on the rear of the car, with subtle colour changes throughout.
“It was an honour to work with Esmee on her special Zandvoort livery, she loves to stretch her creativity and the collaboration was easy. Without a doubt, this is my biggest LEGO project so far and I can’t wait to see Esmee racing in the design.”
Those attending the Dutch Grand Prix will find be able to build their own tulip at a special LEGO area in the paddock. Esmee and Ashwin will appear throughout the weekend to give out signed stickers and posters.
In addition, visitors will be able to look at Speed Champions and other Formula 1 LEGO sets, including 77258 F1 ACADEMY LEGO Race Car. There will also be a one-of-a-kind DJ booth made entirely from LEGO bricks that will provide music for the F1 ACADEMY grid walks. The drivers who finish on the F1 ACADEMY podium will each receive a beautiful custom-made bouquet of LEGO tulips.
“I can hardly describe how excited I am to race at Zandvoort Circuit,” says Esmee. “Last season I made my F1 ACADEMY debut as the Wild Card driver and had the chance to compete in front of my fellow Dutch fans, which was an incredibly special experience.
“The fact that I now have a full-time seat on the grid supported by the LEGO Group, and am racing in a distinctly Dutch livery, helmet and race suit that I helped design makes this year even more special. I hope I can inspire young girls with big ambitions. No dream is too ambitious if you believe in yourself.”
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