When F1 teamed up with popular anime Dragon Ball Z

F1 is notoriously known for its collaborations with large corporations and high-end luxury brands, but it has also seen its share of unusual collaborations and sponsorships. One of these memorable moments took place in 1990 when F1 legend Ayrton Senna met with Akira Toriyama, the creator of the famous anime series Dragon Ball Z, for an unexpected collaboration.

Toriyama is the brain behind the popular anime Dragon Ball Z. In the early 90s, the ongoing partnership of McLaren with Honda, supplying their engines, further consolidated the relationship with Japan. This relationship facilitated the meeting between Senna and Toriyama, who envisioned the main character of his anime/manga, Son Goku, driving the Brazilian's McLaren F1 car. The illustrations were utilized in the popular manga magazine Shonen Jump, presenting Goku as Ayrton Senna and his friends as enthusiastic supporters, all dressed in McLaren merchandise.

Thanks to the McLaren-Honda partnership, which resulted in various wins in Japan, F1 was gaining a lot of popularity in the country, thanks to Senna and his team. To capitalize on this popularity, Shueisha, one of the largest publishers in Japan and responsible for the publication of Weekly Shonen Jump, decided to sponsor the McLaren F1 team in 1989. As part of the sponsorship deal, the Japanese logo of Weekly Shonen Jump was stamped on the nose of every McLaren F1 car during the 1989 season.

The sport has a long history of unusual sponsorships and collaborations over its more than 50 years of existence. However, the meeting between Senna and Toriyama stands out as an example of how F1 and pop culture can intersect in creative and unexpected ways, creating unforgettable moments for both motorsport fans and anime enthusiasts.

The encounter between Ayrton Senna and Akira Toriyama not only symbolized the fusion of two distinct worlds, but also highlighted the global influence and transcendental appeal that icons from different spheres can have when united by a common passion. This unique event encapsulated the magic that can arise when sport meets art, each amplifying the reach and impact of the other, especially on a global stage like F1.