Mattel's Hot Wheels brand has announced a limited-edition die-cast car inspired by the fictional Apex Grand Prix (APXGP) team from Apple Original Films' upcoming F1 The Movie. The collectible is a 1:64 scale Formula 1 diecast based on the car driven by the film’s character Sonny Hayes, portrayed by Brad Pitt.
The diecast model, which is true to the race car featured in the film, features an authentic gold and black livery adorned with Hayes’ number seven on both the casting and the moulded driver’s helmet. Also included with the car are three sets of Pirelli tyres and a tyre storage rack, while the model is presented in a collector’s "Kar Keepers" clamshell case.
The limited-edition model will be available for purchase on MattelCreations.com beginning June 24th in the USA (June 25th in NZ), and follows Hot Wheels' multi-year licensing partnership with Formula 1 and previous collaborative product launches that have sold out.
"Our previous Formula 1 product launches were incredibly well received by racing fans and Hot Wheels collectors and now we can share a piece of the collection with film lovers around the world," said Roberto Stanichi, executive vice president, Hot Wheels & global head of vehicles and building sets at Mattel.
"The APXGP die-cast allows Hot Wheels to connect with a new audience of moviegoers."
F1 The Movie is directed by Joseph Kosinski and produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and seven-time F1 world champion Lewis Hamilton, in collaboration with Formula 1.
The film stars Brad Pitt as Sonny Hayes, a promising Formula 1 driver from the 1990s whose career was nearly ended by an accident. Thirty years later, Hayes, now a nomadic racer-for-hire, is convinced by his former teammate Ruben Cervantes (Javier Bardem), owner of a struggling Formula 1 team, to return for one last opportunity to save the team alongside rookie driver Joshua Pearce (Damson Idris).
The film is set to begin its New Zealand theatrical release on June 26th.