London-based Nigerian artist Olaolu Akeredolu-Ale, known as Slawn, has become the first artist in the world to have his artwork showcased on a Formula 1 race car. His vibrant, graffiti-inspired designs debuted on the Racing Bulls F1 cars at the 2024 British Grand Prix held at Silverstone, marking a groundbreaking fusion of street art and motorsport.
The collaboration, created alongside fashion brand Hugo, brought a fresh and fearless identity to the Faenza-based team formerly known as AlphaTauri.
Slawn’s distinctive style extends beyond the car’s livery; he also designed the race suits for drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, as well as staff uniforms, all featuring his signature abstract graffiti motifs.
Despite the technical challenges posed by the car’s curves, Slawn embraced the opportunity to innovate creatively, focusing on delivering striking graphics rather than aerodynamic changes.
The Racing Bulls CEO, Peter Bayer, praised the partnership for pushing creative boundaries in Formula 1, while Hugo Boss’s SVP of Global Marketing, James Foster, highlighted the collaboration as a powerful expression of individuality and boldness, core values of the Hugo brand.
Originally from Lagos, Slawn’s artistic journey began at Nigeria’s first skate shop, Wafflesncream, before co-founding the cult fashion label Motherlan.
During the 2020 London lockdown, he shifted focus to painting, quickly gaining international recognition with exhibitions and auctions, including becoming the youngest and first Nigerian-born artist to design the Brit Awards statue and stage in 2023.
His portfolio boasts collaborations with global luxury brands such as Louis Vuitton, Rolex, Ferrari, and the Emirates FA Cup.
Slawn’s artwork racing at over 200 mph at Silverstone redefines the intersection of art, culture, and sport, while fans worldwide experienced the collaboration through the temporary transformation of his East London café, Beau Beau’s, into the Hugo Race Car Café, complete with custom decor and an F1 simulator.
Though not a lifelong F1 fan, Slawn connected with the sport through the legendary Ayrton Senna, admiring his mindset and focus.
