The Mercedes-AMG Petronas F1 team underwent a major transformation last season. After a dozen seasons and six championships together, Lewis Hamilton departed Mercedes for Ferrari, with his seat being claimed by teenaged rookie Kimi Antonelli. Meanwhile, the team also ended its long-term apparel sponsorships with Tommy Hilfiger and Puma, signing a major new deal with Adidas instead. “The Adidas partnership arrived at a moment when we were redefining ourselves,” says Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff. “Tightening the culture, rebuilding competitiveness, and looking at the future with fresh eyes.” Now, in year two, Mercedes is off to a scorching start in the young season, with drivers George Russell and Antonelli sitting atop the standings and what appears to be the most dominant car on the grid in their paddock. And right on cue, the Stripes and the Silver Arrows are dropping their hottest collaboration yet.
Kimi Antonelli
Courtesy of Adidas
Courtesy of Adidas
Today, Mercedes-AMG Petronas unveiled its first linkup with Y-3, the legendary Adidas sub-label spearheaded by designer Yohji Yamamoto. First teased at Paris Fashion Week last June, and then again last weekend at the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai on Felix of Stray Kids, the expansive collection comprises performance gear, casual sportswear, and one extremely sick pair of racing boots. At the heart of the collaboration is an illustrated wolf motif pulled straight from the Y-3 archives—the graphic originally appeared on an iconic pair of Yohji-designed Adidas F50 Tunit soccer cleats circa 2006. It’s a striking image, sure—but it certainly doesn’t hurt that it doubles as a sly nod to the team’s longtime boss.
Courtesy of Adidas