F1 Merch Reimagined

After watching plenty of Formula 1 with my partner, I started noticing a gap in the kind of merchandise available to fans — especially for women. Most of the existing merch is bold, masculine, and technical, but I wanted to explore what it might look like if F1 merch leaned into a softer, cuter aesthetic while still celebrating the sport.

I set myself a challenge: design a piece of merch that feels approachable, fun, and fresh. Using a simple hand-drawn style, I created an illustration that balances playfulness with clean design, and celebrates some of the iconic imagery of the sport. I also included the fan-favourite quote “It’s lights out, and away we go!”.

To imagine how it might live in the real world, I decided to mock up my design as a t-shirt. Seeing the illustration in context brought the concept to life, highlighting how a simple, thoughtful design can make fan culture feel more personal, expressive, and welcoming.

I also decided to create a real-life version for myself using my Cricut. I cut the design from heat transfer vinyl and ironed it onto a tote bag — a fun way to bring the concept off the screen and into something I could actually use.

This project was a chance to merge two passions — illustration and design — with cultural observation. By creating something that sits a little outside the box of traditional F1 branding, I wanted to show how thoughtful, character-driven design can open up space for new audiences and fresh perspectives.