The Formula 1 Singapore Grand Prix has become one of racing’s most recognisable fixtures, with the Marina Bay skyline providing a beautiful backdrop to the action. This year, Dutch-Belgian racing driver Max Verstappen took the top spot at the 2026 Formula 1 Singapore Airlines Singapore Grand Prix on 11 October, with Louis Vuitton adding a touch of French craftsmanship to the celebrations.
The Red Bull driver received his trophy presented in a bespoke Louis Vuitton Trophy Trunk, specially created for the Singapore race. The trunk made appearances throughout the weekend before taking its place on the podium, continuing the French maison’s tradition of creating custom cases for some of the world’s most prestigious sporting trophies.
There was a new detail to look out for this year. Louis Vuitton introduced a Victory patch to its Formula 1 Trophy Trunks, inspired by the travel labels that once adorned luggage. Each patch carries the initials of a Grand Prix winner, gradually building a record of the drivers who have claimed victory at the race. Verstappen’s initials now sit alongside those of George Russell, who won the Singapore Grand Prix in 2025.
It’s a fitting addition for a house whose history is so closely tied to travel. The trunk was handcrafted at Louis Vuitton’s historic atelier in Asnieres-sur-Seine, France, where the maison’s connection to automobiles dates back to 1897. Georges Vuitton, son of founder Louis Vuitton, was among the first to recognise the potential of the emerging automobile industry, designing trunks specifically for motor travel.
He also developed Vuittonite, a durable canvas that could better withstand the elements than leather. The material would eventually evolve into the signature canvas that remains one of Louis Vuitton’s most recognisable features today. More than a century later, the maison’s involvement in Formula 1 brings that early relationship with motoring full circle.
The partnership is also part of Louis Vuitton’s longstanding involvement in sport. Beginning with the America’s Cup in 1983, the maison has gone on to create trophy trunks for competitions including the Fifa World Cup, Roland-Garros, the NBA and the Ballon d’Or. Each one draws on the house’s original expertise in protecting and transporting precious objects, albeit with a rather different kind of cargo in mind.
For Verstappen, the Singapore win adds another achievement to his racing career. But for Louis Vuitton, it demonstrates how a craft rooted in the golden age of travel continues to find relevance in modern day sports.
