Asphalt can give rise to different forms of creativity and personal expression. Those unleashed by today’s fastest Formula 1 machines, for instance. Or those pursued through the progressive craftsmanship of Y-3. Entities that, precisely on the asphalt, have woven, and continue to enrich, an ongoing dialogue between the F1 Circus and fashion: a conversation that has never been as relevant and layered as it is today.

Within this shared and reciprocal exchange of energies, the Y-3 – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 synergy naturally occupies a leading position. A meeting of excellences, or rather, a convergence, within the design language of a collaboration defined by a vivid chiaroscuro, where contemporary racing and three of its monumental figures – Toto Wolff, Kimi Antonelli and George Russell – bring into dialogue track and street, sporting culture and Japanese mythology, detail and performance.

A union of worlds that we explored through the perspective of the creative director tasked with shaping the visual narrative of this partnership, also a long-standing expert within the very ecosystem Athleta Mag inhabits: that of print publications. SJ Todd.

From the Track to the Street. When you were approached to work on the Y-3 – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 collaboration, what were your initial thoughts? What did, and what does, the encounter between these two leading entities, from the worlds of design and motorsport respectively, represent to you? 

“My initial reaction, aside from trying not to think too much about just how big the collaboration was how inspiring the mentality of the drivers is. There’s a level of focus, consistency, and sheer nerve they sustain over time that feels almost superhuman. Of course, there was also a real sense of gratitude on our side to be collaborating with two such powerhouses, but we tried to channel that energy into the work rather than overthink it. That mindset became a natural starting point for us, shaping the narrative we wanted to build. From there, we explored different ways to translate it into a visual language. Looking at a range of executions and storytelling approaches that could bring a new perspective. At the same time, the precision and craftsmanship from the brand side fed strongly into that narrative. It’s that shared sense of discipline and exactness, coming from two very different worlds, that made the collaboration feel so resonant.”

Toto Wolff, George Russell and Kimi Antonelli are portrayed within a new, compelling, and almost vertiginous intergenerational dimension. What was it like collaborating with such prominent yet distinct personalities? And how much aesthetic or fashion awareness do you find today in athletes and professionals of this calibre? 

“There was a real sense of ease working with them, alongside a high level of professionalism. Each person naturally brings a very distinct personality, and I always enjoy working across that kind of dynamic. Those differences don’t complicate the process, they enrich it. They feed directly into the narrative and the outcome, making the work feel more layered and multidimensional, which is something I place real value on creatively. I find it equally inspiring how athletes, musicians, and people operating at that level are able to focus so completely in the moment. There’s so much noise and pressure surrounding them outside of the space we’re capturing, yet they’re able to channel everything into that singular point of performance. It gives me a lot of perspective, and it really makes you appreciate the crossover between the creative process and intent that connects what we each bring into the space. Fashion awareness, it’s always existed. The most multifaceted athletes have always made space for it. What feels different now is how much it’s being championed. Brands like Y-3 are really pushing that forward. Collaborations like this don’t just reflect that shift, they show what’s possible when those worlds really start to overlap and evolve together.”

The Y-3 – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 capsule features pieces with remarkable iconic potential. Was there a particular piece that stood out to you, or that resonated most strongly through your experienced eye? 

“The bomber jacket stood out immediately as soon as I received the collection!”

Your creative direction extends beyond campaigns of this kind, also engaging with a landscape we hold particularly dear: that of magazines. From a cultural standpoint, what added value do you find in navigating and operating within this specific medium? And how does the sporting element fit into your daily exploration, also through the media platforms you lead? 

“Working on magazines brings a different kind of fluidity to image and video-making. It feels organic and freeing, especially in the way we collaborate. It creates space for people to work in different ways, and that exchange naturally feeds into other projects and ways of thinking. For me personally, I really value that twice a year there’s a physical body of work that’s distributed worldwide. It allows for a different pace, and gives me the opportunity to work with collaborators I admire and take a lot of inspiration from. We’ve been working with magazines since the studio started, so to continue being asked to art direct them is something I feel incredibly honoured by.”

Finally, a broader reflection on the relationship between Formula 1 and fashion. Having personally experienced, and helped shape, a key chapter in its evolution, how do you envision this relationship developing in the future, also in light of exemplary collaborations such as Y-3 – Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1? 

“Admittedly, at the start of the project I had a fairly beginner’s understanding of F1. But with any brief, I see that as an opportunity, to bring a fresh perspective and approach it from a different angle. Y-3 and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 were instrumental in making that possible, and it was a real pleasure to build that process with them. Having those different viewpoints within the collaboration felt essential. We were in constant conversation to ensure everything developed in a way that felt both relevant and true. More broadly, I have no doubt the relationship between sport and fashion will continue to evolve, and F1 feels like an essential space for that. It’s been great to see George, Kimi, and Toto engaging with the work, alongside the team’s momentum at the start of the championship. It all feels like it’s unfolding in parallel in a really exciting way.”