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Hamilton and Wolff launch new emoji: F1 car now a Mercedes

Hamilton and Wolff launch new emoji: F1 car now a Mercedes

30 April - 15:00
19

Kada Sarkozi

Editor

You may have noticed: from now on, when you send an emoji of a Formula 1 car in WhatsApp, it will no longer be the standard blue and white car, but a Mercedes. Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff attended the launch of the emoji's new look in New York, ahead of the Miami Grand Prix.

F1 car emoji from now on a Mercedes

Mercedes partnered with new sponsor WhatsApp early this year. This even resulted in a special WhatsApp button on the handlebars of Hamilton and George Russell. The partnership also affects users of the app: from now on, the race car emoji will look like a Mercedes. The new emoji was shown through a projection on the Empire State Building.

"In recent years, our sport and WhatsApp have both been on an impressive growth journey in the United States. The partnership between ourselves as a team and WhatsApp, our official messaging partner, is therefore a natural fit," Wolff said. "As we prepare for the first stateside Grand Prix this year, it is fantastic to celebrate our collaboration with several iconic moments and activations in New York City that are certain to get people talking."

Hamilton added: "I've always felt a special connection with the United States. I remember going to New York as a kid and dreaming about living in the city and I've been fortunate to spend a lot of time here since then."

Hamilton hosts first ever F1 demo in Manhattan

The festivities in New York are not over yet: on Wednesday, Fifth Avenue will be closed for the first ever demonstration of a Formula One car in Manhattan. Hamilton will get behind the wheel of the F1 car to perform the show run, which will take place next to a life-size replica of the new emoji. "I've had many incredible experiences and connected with many amazing people in New York, but to drive an F1 car down Fifth Avenue and light up the Empire State Building is incredibly special," Hamilton said.