193,000 bricks: the incredible Lego Mercedes F1 car lands in South Africa
Lego South Africa has shipped a detailed, up-scaled Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build from Singapore to South Africa.
Image: Supplied
You may have seen the social media posts around the life-sized Lego Mercedes-Benz Formula 1 car doing the rounds, and not to be outdone, Lego South Africa has pulled off its most ambitious project to date.
The company has shipped a detailed, up-scaled Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build from Singapore to South Africa, making the largest life-size Lego build ever brought into the country, shown at the Mercedes-Benz AMG Experience Centre at Zwartkops Raceway.
“The reveal forms part of Lego South Africa’s ongoing commitment to celebrating creativity and innovation through play,” said Valery Kasimov, the newly appointed country manager for Lego South Africa.
By the numbers
Based on the 1,642-piece Lego set available in stores, the scaled-up Technic Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E Performance build took a team of expert builders eight hours to assemble. The team used a total of 192,937 Lego bricks, resulting in a build weighing approximately 913 kilograms and measuring 5.1 metres in length and 2.2 metres in width.
The result is a replica that mirrors the sleek aerodynamic lines, intricate details and striking presence of its real-world Mercedes-AMG counterpart, a fusion of art, engineering and play.
The Mercedes-AMG F1 Lego build will embark on a country-wide tour.
Image: Supplied
Roadshow
From Zwartkops Raceway, the build will be on display at select malls across South Africa.
There are also various activities around the F1 replica where fans can challenge their speed and reflexes.
They include:
- A build station: design and build your own Lego race cars
- Championship racing: a high-speed ramp with precision timing systems and a digital leaderboard.
- Reflex challenge: test your reaction times, mirroring real driver skills.
The public showcase kicks off at Nelson Mandela Square from 16 November to 3 December, before moving to Gateway Shopping Centre in Durban from 12 December to 5 January.
It will then travel to Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront from 15 to 25 January, before concluding back in Johannesburg at Sandton City from 5 to 28 February.
“This collaboration between Lego South Africa and Mercedes-Benz is built on shared values of precision, performance and excellence,” said Claudius Steinhoff, executive director MBC & Co-CEO of Mercedes-Benz South Africa.
“The Lego Mercedes-AMG Formula 1 car celebrates our achievements at the pinnacle of motorsport and reflects the innovation, craftsmanship and passion that unite both brands.”