Formula 1 team Scuderia AlphaTauri has announced a new partnership with Bandai Namco, bringing the GUNDAM franchise to the Formula 1 grid for the inaugural Las Vegas Grand Prix on 19 November.

Formula 1 has been steadily establishing itself as one of the hottest sports at the moment, inducting a new wave of fans thanks to its hit Netflix documentary series Formula 1: Drive to Survive over the past few years. More recently, apparel partners PUMA announced A$AP ROCKY as it’s new Creative Director for its F1 division, which will see the rapper apply his creative touch for future co-branded apparel releases.

While this might be a surprising (although welcoming) collaboration, it’s also a match made in heaven for the duo. Firstly, Scuderia AlphaTauri is home to the only Japanese driver on the grid currently, Yuki Tsunoda.

Secondly, Formula 1 is widely known as “the pinnacle of motorsport”, while the GUNDAM franchise is beloved as the height of human technology, and mecha robots. The recurring themes of heroism within the franchise mirrors that of the real-life challenges F1 drivers face every single race. Tsunoda himself explains it best in the promotional video: “this is where technology and innovation bring the impossible to life.“

Highlighting this collaboration between Scuderia AlphaTauri and Bandai Namco’s is a RX-78-2 GUNDAM Perfect-Grade Unleashed model figure, draped in the F1 team’s colors and decals. The drivers of the team, the aforementioned Yuki Tsunoda and Daniel Ricciardo, will also don GUNDAM-inspired racing suits for the Las Vegas Grand Prix. Their cars’ headrests will also feature decals from the RX-78-2 GUNDAM and XVX-016 GUNDAM Aerial, which is part of the franchise’ latest series, Mobile Suit GUNDAM: The Witch from Mercury.

Additionally, race-goers have the opportunity to visit two GUNDAM BASE POP-UP Stores, Elara by Hilton and The Park by MGM. Nearly ten-foot tall GUNDAM statues will also be on display around the team’s facilities over the race weekend.

Take an official look at the Scuderia AlphaTauri x Bandai Namco GUNDAM RX-78-2 GUNDAM via the top slider above. Unfortunately, according to the team’s press release, this magnificent work of art will only be for display, but be sure to check out the GUNDAM BASE POP-UP Stores for other goodies.

In other news, take a first look at the upcoming HUMAN MADE x KAWS collaboration. You can find other GUNDAM model figures and collectibles via the banner below: