WELLA x F1 ACADEMY™: 5 Unforgettable Moments From Silverstone

The roar of the engines. The flash of the cameras. The palpable buzz from paddock to grandstand. The atmosphere at the FORMULA 1 PIRELLI BRITISH GRAND PRIX at Silverstone was electric, and we were there to soak up every moment. As the Official Hair Care Partner of the F1 ACADEMY – the all-female racing series – Wella Professionals rolled up trackside for a weekend of sport, beauty and fearless ambition.

If you couldn’t be there, we’ve got you. Keep scrolling for our Silverstone highlights, from Chiara Bättig’s podium debut to Lucinda Strafford’s ULTIMATE SMOOTH transformation…

1. The first ever Wella Pop-Up rolled up trackside

The Wella Pop-Up quickly became one of the buzziest destinations in the F1 ACADEMY Paddock, bringing the Wella Professionals experience to life trackside. Guests stopped by for personalised styling sessions with Global Educator Guy Kleinhaus and Artist Ambassador Pedro Pimpão, while drivers got race-ready before heading out on the track.

Visitors also discovered our hero ranges – ULTIMATE REPAIR, ULTIMATE SMOOTH and ULTIMATE COLOR – took home exclusive goodie bags, and even had the chance to meet Wella Wild Card driver Chiara Bättig during a special signing session. Whether stopping by for a pre-race hair refresh or soaking up the atmosphere, the Wella Pop-Up was all about celebrating confidence and self-expression in true MAKE IT YOU spirit.

2. A record-breaking debut for Chiara Bättig

It was her Silverstone debut, and 16-year-old Chiara Bättig made every moment count. Fastest in Free Practice, she went on to secure pole position for the Feature Race, becoming F1 ACADEMY’s youngest ever polesitter. But if that wasn’t enough, she went on to record the highest-ever finish by a Wild Card driver in F1 ACADEMY history. She’s out there breaking record after record – with not a hair out of place, thanks to ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue. The high-speed spray outpaces damage, giving you 99% less breakage¹, and leaving hair up to 12x smoother². Helmet hair? We don’t know her.

3. Wella Professionals’ trackside transformations in the Paddock Club

Our trackside beauty pitstop in the Paddock Club kept guests looking race-day ready, kitted out with Wella Professionals’ runaway winners, including ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue and ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum. Made for in-a-rush refreshes, Miracle Hair Rescue repairs hair damage in 90 seconds³, while Miracle Oil Serum nourishes in 30 seconds. Fast results for life in the fast lane.

With our top stylists on hand – including Wella Professionals Top Artists Nikki Clifford and Michael Gray – our presence in the Paddock Club was about more than looking good. It was about supporting F1 ACADEMY in our shared mission to champion self-expression, confidence and female empowerment. From the bold styling stations to Chiara’s bright red livery, ‘MAKE IT YOU’ was broadcast loud and proud; a call to embrace your individuality, both on and off the track.

4. Celebs – including Lucinda Strafford – dropping in for a beauty pitstop

A host of familiar faces stopped by for a race day refresh at our styling stations, including footballers Alessia Russo and Missy Bo Kearns, singer Ella Eyre, and Love Island all-star Lucinda Strafford. The energy was high and the paps were snapping as they glossed up their looks with ULTIMATE SMOOTH Miracle Oil Serum. “My word for the day would be: absolutely surreal,” Lucinda told us. “I feel like I’ve seen [Silverstone] loads on TV, so actually being here does not feel real whatsoever!”

5. The red car everyone was talking about

A rush of red on the racetrack had spectators queueing up for photos. Our iconic red car – driven by Chiara Bättig – saw MAKE IT YOU flying around Silverstone. Matched with her bold racing suit, it was a reminder of what the Wella x F1 ACADEMY partnership means. “Our partnership with F1 ACADEMY goes beyond sponsorship,” said. Marlene Lotter, Senior Vice President, Global Professional Brands at Wella Company “It’s about creating visibility for ambition and individuality at a defining moment for women in sport.

“Silverstone allows us to bring that vision to life at scale, connecting beauty with confidence, performance and cultural relevance in a completely new way.”

And that’s a wrap on Silverstone, and Round 3 of the 2026 F1 ACADEMY season. This wasn’t just another race weekend; it was a reminder of what happens when women are given the platform to compete, create and inspire. From Chiara making history on the track to our pitstop guests embracing self-expression, moments like these are exactly what MAKE IT YOU is all about.

¹ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue instrumental test vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

² Vs. non-conditioning Shampoo.

³ When using ULTIMATE REPAIR Miracle Hair Rescue.