Quick look
- As Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1, KitKat has built a full-sized Formula 1 racing car with chocolate. The public will also be able to buy small versions for their breaks.
- KitKat will have activities at 12 of the 24 rounds of the Formula 1 World Championship in 2026.
Remember our earlier report about KitKat becoming the Official Chocolate Bar of Formula 1 as part of a multi-year commercial partnership between Nestle and Formula 1? This collaboration represents one of the largest global brand investments for Nestle and they officially commenced their activities with a special event at the Silverstone circuit in England.
The racing car you can eat!
Perhaps for the first time ever, a Formula 1 racing car has been built from chocolate – which can be eaten too! The car measures 5 metres in length and 2 metres in width, matching the dimensions of a standard F1 car. The construction process required 1,254 hours of labour to complete, focusing on replicating the aerodynamic components found on the racing cars, particularly the front wing and rear spoiler.
Unlike the 2026 F1 cars which are limited to a minimum weight of 768 kgs, the chocolate F1 car weighs 350 kgs. All that chocolate could be made into 16,900 standard two-finger KitKat bars.
“KitKat has always championed the power of taking a break. To celebrate our partnership with Formula 1, we wanted to build something truly unexpected. We built the chocolate racing car as a tribute to the precision of the sport and the playfulness of our brand. We’re not just showing up at the track; we’re also bringing the thrill of the race to supermarket aisles, making every ‘F1 break’ part of the fan experience,” said Scott Coles, Managing Director for Nestle Confectionery in the UK and Ireland.
F1 KitKat bars
The Silverstone location was chosen to draw a parallel between the pause of a pit stop and the traditional concept of taking a break. Along with the presentation of the chocolate racing car, smaller, consumer-ready chocolate replicas were also introduced. The production of these items utilized specialized molding techniques developed at Nestle’s research centres in the United Kingdom and Italy.
While the partnership saw pilot programs during the 2025 races in Mexico and Brazil, the current year marks the transition into a permanent fixture of the paddock and retail environments. Being an official partner will see the KitKat name among others that partner the sport, and 12 specific rounds will also see various on-track activities for spectators, integrating different facets of the sport.
Various ‘retailtainment’ initiatives, particularly within international travel hubs will be evident. Major airports are expected to host themed installations and simulators to maintain visibility among fans traveling to different race locations.
Beyond that, the partnership will also see KitKat’s in the digital and broadcast spheres. Viewers of the Netflix documentary series, ‘Drive to Survive’, will see targeted segments as part of the deal. The strategy aims to connect with the sport’s evolving demographic, which has seen significant growth in younger viewers over recent years.
F1 starts this weekend
The 2026 Formula 1 season officially commences this weekend in Melbourne, Australia. As the 2026 season progresses through its 24-round calendar, further themed products and displays are expected to appear at various circuits globally.
