Formula 1 is known as the pinnacle of motorsport for many reasons. From fast-paced racing, world-class drivers, historic teams, and more, the sport rarely disappoints.
The most thrilling moment of a driver’s career is standing on the top step. Not only have they claimed one of the highest achievements of their career, but they are also awarded some exquisite hardware to honor their win.
The trophies of Formula 1 are a spectacle of their own with each circuit featuring unique and one-of-a-kind pieces. These trophies are a showcase of brilliant artistry, while also highlighting a driver’s achievements during the race.
The Hungarian Grand Prix organizers have been commissioning Herend Porcelain Manufactory for decades, with the company first producing trophies for the sport in 2006. The trophies have not been awarded every year, but in recent years the top three drivers have been awarded the porcelain pieces.
A brief look at the design for the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix trophy design. Courtesy of Mercedes Media Centre/Sebastian Kawka.
Herend Porcelain is much more than hand-made porcelain and the nearly 200-year-old business has a rich history behind it. The unique pieces were created for figures such as Queen Victoria, Prince George, and even the British Parliament.
With the business having extreme success and extensive history, it’s no surprise that one of the richest sports in the world would want to align with it. Each year, the porcelain trophies are created with meticulous care and feature unique designs.
The shape of the vase tends to stay the same, as it reflects the neoclassical style of ancient vases. Each piece takes around six months to complete and is worth anywhere from $45,000 or more.
At this year’s Hungarian Grand Prix, drivers have even honored the porcelain pieces themselves. Lando Norris worked with the company, creating a hand-painted helmet design emulating the artistry used on the trophies. He revealed the design of the helmet along with his collection “Porcelain Dreams,” on his official store for fans to match.
The helmet used by Norris during qualifying is being auctioned to raise money for two charities supporting those who are visually impaired. 100% of the profits will go towards the two groups to bring about change and support for those involved.
Lando Norris’ 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix helmet in collaboration with Herend Porcelain Manufactory. Courtesy of F1Authentics.com.
Norris’ collaboration with the business is a call-back to one of the biggest talking points from the 2023 race in Hungary. Norris managed to secure second place but ended up accidentally breaking Max Verstappen’s race-winning trophy after hitting his champagne bottle on the platform.
Max Verstappen holding his broken trophy during the 2023 Hungarian Grand Prix. Courtesy of Red Bull Content Pool/Getty Images.
Luckily, the trophy was able to be recreated in only five weeks, showcasing the immense talent of the artists to be able to replicate a masterpiece in such a short time. Norris even joined Verstappen with Herend Porcelain as he received his new trophy.
Norris is not the only driver to have a special helmet in Hungary, as Estaban Ocon also emulated the porcelain designs. Ocon secured his maiden win in Formula 1 at the 2021 Hungarian Grand Prix, so it’s no surprise that this race is special for him.
Ocon’s helmet features one of the iconic designs from the company, matching his 2021 winning trophy. It also displays the colors of the Hungarian flag: red, green, and white.
Despite the drama and commotion surrounding the race in Hungary, one of the positive takeaways from the weekend is the talent of the trophy artists. The work meticulously throughout the year to be able to award the drivers with the porcelain works of art, and the work and dedication should not go unnoticed.
The race seems to be home for maiden wins as Oscar Piastri stood on the top step for the first time in his career, solidifying his spot as a McLaren race winner. Regardless of how he won this race, his first win marks the beginning of even more accomplishments for the Australian driver.
Lewis Hamilton pouring champagne on Oscar Piastri, celebrating his maiden win at the 2024 Hungarian Grand Prix. Courtesy of Mercedes Media Centre/Sebastian Kawka.
The next race in Belgium is sure to excite fans, as McLaren seems to be the top contender in challenging Red Bull for the top spot in the constructors’ championship. The weekend in Belgium will run from July 26-28 and will be the final summer race for the 2024 season.