Mumbai: Formula 1 has unveiled its new global marketing campaign, ‘Five Lights’, ahead of the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026, marking the sport’s return to racing action for the second half of the season.
Headlined by a 90-second cinematic film voiced by Academy Award-nominated actor and Formula 1 fan Colin Farrell, the campaign features all 22 drivers and captures the anticipation and intensity surrounding Formula 1’s iconic pre-race countdown. The film is set to Reign by UNKLE featuring Ian Brown.
Running from August 16 to September 13, the campaign will be supported by creative assets across social media and digital platforms. Formula 1 will also take over six prominent advertising locations across the UK and US, including Piccadilly Circus and The Outernet in London, Sunset Boulevard, The Moxy and the Music District in Los Angeles, Times Square in New York and Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip.
The campaign focuses on the five-light sequence before a race begins, using the countdown to portray the focus, anticipation and composure required from drivers as they prepare to compete at the limits of human and technical performance. Developed and produced by creative branded content agency WING in collaboration with Formula 1, the film builds tension before the lights go out and the race begins.
The launch comes as Formula 1 continues to expand its global audience, with more than 830 million fans worldwide. The 2026 season has recorded 11 consecutive sell-out Grands Prix so far, along with six new circuit attendance records. The sport has also continued to see growth in television audiences, digital engagement and its roster of commercial partners.
The FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN DUTCH GRAND PRIX 2026, scheduled to begin at Zandvoort on August 21, will mark the start of the second half of the season. Mercedes currently leads both the Drivers’ and Constructors’ World Championships, setting the stage for an increasingly competitive run towards the season finale.
Commenting on the campaign, Emily Prazer, Chief Commercial Officer, Formula 1, said, “Five Lights captures one of the most powerful moments in Formula 1, when anticipation, excitement and pressure all come together just before the race begins. As we return for the second half of what has already been an incredible season, we wanted to create something that reflects the emotion of our sport and the connection our fans feel with the teams and drivers every race weekend.”
