The epic nature of Formula 1 has always portrayed drivers as contemporary heroes, as they race at over three hundred kilometers per hour, semi-reclined in a cockpit custom-built within a carbon shell, powered by a unit developing around 1000 HP and fueled by a tank of over one hundred liters.
It’s true that modern Formula 1 is far safer than in the past – even in the not-so-distant past – but this does little to detract from the heroic image of the driver. So, what could be better than placing a hero – albeit an unusual one – on the podium as a prize for the best among the twenty participants? This is why Pirelli has created a special trophy for the United States Grand Prix, called Heroo.
Heroo was designed by Italian artist and designer Matteo Macchiavelli in collaboration with Pirelli Motorsport and represents an interpretation of the connection between the cars and the tires that equip them. At the same time, it is intended to be a piece that bridges the beauty and elegance of art with the excitement, sense of speed, and material excellence that characterize Formula 1.
The trophy features a human silhouette with arms raised in celebration, coated in carbon fiber and placed on a base made from a tire. The four trophies are differentiated by the color of the helmet: for the winner and the team representative, it is painted in golden yellow with gold powder finishes, while silver and titanium are the chosen colors and finishes for the second and third place trophies, respectively. Heroo’s journey won’t end on the Austin podium, as it will also become a limited-edition design object for collectors and fans of collectible art toys.
Heroo won’t be the only new thing Pirelli is bringing for the 2024 Formula 1 United States Grand Prix to Austin. Continuing a trend that began in Miami and followed in Montreal, Silverstone, and Monza, the Podium Cap will feature a special edition made of denim. This fabric, which in the USA started being used in the 1930s for clothing items – particularly jeans – not only for work but also for everyday wear, later became fashionable thanks to film stars like Marlon Brando and James Dean, becoming a cultural symbol of freedom and rebellion.
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