The Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt described his first F1 driving experience as: "Oh my God, this is more thrilling than anything I've ever driven before." His new movie F1: The Movie has grossed $144 million globally, becoming Apple Studios' first major box office hit.
What caught crypto enthusiasts' attention? The McLaren F1 car Pitt drove prominently featured the OKX logo - a familiar sight in the crypto world.
Crypto Sponsors in F1: The Major Players
FTX and Mercedes-AMG Petronas (2021-2022)
- Investment: Undisclosed multi-season deal
- Visibility: Logo on rear wings, cockpit edges, and driver helmets
- Outcome: Partnership terminated after FTX's collapse in November 2022
Crypto.com's Dual Strategy
- Aston Martin Sponsorship (2021)
- F1 Official Partnership ($100M for 5 years, extended to 2030)
- Innovation: Launched F1-themed NFTs
Coinbase Makes History with Aston Martin (2025)
- Milestone: First F1 deal fully paid in USDC stablecoin
- Placement: Logo on halo structure, rear wing endplates, and driver suits
OKX and McLaren Racing (2022-Present)
- Annual Investment: $25-50M
- Creative Campaign: "Stealth Mode" livery generated 1.8B video views
- Brad Pitt Connection: The MCL60 he drove now resides at OKX's Singapore HQ
Bybit's Record Red Bull Deal (2022-2024)
- Value: $150M over 3 years ($50M annually)
- Timing: Coincided with Max Verstappen's championship dominance
Why Crypto Loves F1: 5 Strategic Reasons
- Elite Audience Targeting: F1 attracts high-net-worth individuals (average fan net worth: $1.2M)
- Global Exposure: Races in financial hubs like Monaco, Singapore, and Abu Dhabi
- Tech Alignment: F1's cutting-edge engineering mirrors crypto's innovation narrative
- Social Capital: Pit access and VIP events facilitate high-value connections
- Brand Legitimization: Association with prestigious teams elevates crypto platforms' status
The Evolution of F1 Sponsorship
| Era | Dominant Sponsors | Typical Deal Value |
|---|---|---|
| 1980-2005 | Tobacco Brands | $10-30M/year |
| 2006-2018 | Financial Services | $15-50M/year |
| 2019-2025 | Crypto Exchanges | $20-50M/year |
FAQ: Crypto in F1
Q: Which F1 teams currently have no crypto sponsors?
A: As of 2025, Ferrari, Haas, and AlphaTauri remain crypto-free.
Q: How effective are these sponsorships?
A: Red Bull reported 300% growth in crypto-related merch sales during Bybit partnership.
Q: What's the ROI for crypto platforms?
A: OKX saw 47% user acquisition increase in markets where McLaren races are popular.
Q: Will this trend continue?
A: Analysts predict crypto will dominate 60% of F1 sponsorships by 2028.