Formula One cars adorned with makeup brand livery and LEGO-themed cars adding a playful touch, the paddock for the F1 Academy — a series for female racing drivers — at the Shanghai International Circuit was a hive of activity over the weekend, and the fusion of lifestyle and competition perfectly encapsulated the 2026 Formula One Chinese Grand Prix.

This year's event transcended mere motor sports by integrating beauty, pop culture and lifestyle brands into its fabric. High-end exhibitions and public art experiences extended the excitement from the track to city landmarks, embedding F1 into urban life as an expression of culture and lifestyle.

The F1 Academy Shanghai round marked the start of the 2026 season for the female drivers. Sephora, the season's official partner, sponsored Spanish rookie Natalia Granada, who made her debut in Shanghai in a Prema team car adorned in exclusive Sephora livery featuring the brand's iconic black-and-white stripes with bold red accents.

"Beauty and sport might seem like different worlds, but both celebrate confidence and expression. Support like this is incredibly important for female drivers," Granada remarked.

Aligning with the growing trend of young female fans, now comprising nearly 50 percent of the nation's F1 audience, Xia Ding, managing director of Sephora Greater China, emphasized the significance of choosing Shanghai for the F1 Academy's season opener, highlighting its aim to embody female power through speed and passion.

Meanwhile, Danish powerhouse LEGO Group debuted its partnership with the F1 Academy by decking out Dutch driver Esmee Kosterman's MP Motorsport car in one-of-a-kind LEGO Racing livery — as well as launching a corresponding "Speed Champions" LEGO set.

LEGO Group noted that its latest research confirms that 87 percent of girls surveyed want to see more opportunities for them in motor sports, 75 percent thought racing sounded exciting, while 52 percent could one day see themselves as a racing driver.

Elsewhere on the grid, the return of Chinese driver Shi Wei underscored the rising presence of local female talent. Shi said she wanted to "show that Chinese women can also stand on the world stage".

Driving for British outfit Hitech, unfortunately, Shi was forced to retire during the race.

Off the track, F1's lifestyle influence was evident through brand collaborations. Louis Vuitton crafted a custom trophy case for the Grand Prix, with red and yellow V-patterns echoing Shanghai's colors.

TAG Heuer, celebrating its 166th anniversary, launched an exhibition in Shanghai, showcasing a Red Bull Racing car.

"The shared values between TAG Heuer and Oracle Red Bull Racing drive our partnership, both chasing performance and pushing boundaries," noted Laurent Mekies, Red Bull CEO and team principal.

From the commercial to the cultural, Zhou Guanyu's photography showcase at Sinan Mansions presented Time Without Speed, chronicling his journey from karting in Shanghai to the F1 grid, revealing the personal side of the Cadillac reserve driver.

"As a professional driver, I travel year-round for races. Amid the fast-paced hustle, I love capturing those precious, beautiful moments of life through my lens," Zhou said.

Additionally, there were collaborations with the Walt Disney Company, as Mickey and Minnie Mouse F1-themed characters made their debut, while Red Bull's "Urban Garage" at Century Square recreated the pit lane experience outside the circuit and showcased the gear of four-time F1 world champion Max Verstappen.