In the 2023 Formula 1 Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka tomorrow, the winner will have the honor of activating the special “Kiss Activated” trophy. This unique trophy lights up with the national colors of the victorious driver when kissed. It’s powered by innovative LED light technology developed by the Italian car design company Pininfarina and is featured in trophy number 1. The national flag’s colors are programmed once the winning driver is determined.
As mentioned earlier, this trophy, designed by Pininfarina, an Italian company renowned for car design, adds a unique touch to the podium ceremony we’ll witness tomorrow morning.
The trophy’s aluminum design allows the winning driver to illuminate their national colors after giving it a kiss, making the taste of victory even more special.
Regarding the technology used, it’s an innovative LED technology developed by Lenovo. The trophy will also be used at the United States Grand Prix in Austin in October. However, for now, only the winner will have the privilege of enjoying this gem. The second and third-place finishers will have slightly less extravagant trophies.
Francisco Barboza Grasa, Design Manager IDX at Pininfarina, shared his thoughts:
“There was a sort of back-and-forth between Lenovo, Formula 1, and Pininfarina. There was always the challenge of respecting the brand and legacy of Formula 1. That’s why the trophy’s design resembles the Coca-Cola of cars. We’ve also tried to be very transparent about the materials used.”
“The main structure is made entirely from recycled aluminum. It’s a material we believe reflects the spirit of Formula 1. It’s not carbon fiber. However, aluminum is used in other parts of the trophy.”
According to the Dutch motorsport website RacingNews365, the other three trophies on the podium will have “light cores” that reflect the host country. In Japan, the color will be red, while in the United States, it will be blue. Additionally, they will all be powered by rechargeable batteries. The goal is to ensure that the illuminated patterns won’t fade when the trophies are displayed.
Barring any major surprises, Max Verstappen is likely to be the primary candidate to raise this trophy. Along with frequently hearing the Dutch national anthem on the podium (if not always), there’s a strong chance of seeing the Dutch flag’s colors on the trophy itself.

Source: f1ingenerale







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