Formula 1 and Hot Wheels Are Hiring a ‘Tiniest Team Principal' for Kids Ages 5–10
If your five-year-old already has opinions on downforce and insists on redesigning every track layout in the living room, Mattel and Formula 1 have a job opening that suits them perfectly. Mattel has launched a global search for the first-ever Hot Wheels Tiniest Team Principal, with one winner to be selected from each of the United States, the United Kingdom, and Mexico.
The entry window runs from May 20 through June 16, 2026. Winners will be announced on June 23.
To enter, parents or legal guardians of children aged five to ten submit a video entry showcasing why their child has what it takes.
There are no strict rules on what the video should cover – submissions can include custom trackset builds, race predictions, original livery designs, or a passionate explanation of how they would run a Formula 1 team. Parents then upload the video to TikTok or Instagram, tagging the official Hot Wheels social media account.
The hashtags #HotWheelsTiniestTeam and #Contest must be included.
What the Winners Actually Get
The three winners will be flown with their families to Hot Wheels headquarters in El Segundo, California, where they will meet the design and executive teams behind both Hot Wheels and Formula 1, take part in picking and designing their own Hot Wheels F1 die-cast car, and step into an official ambassador role for the brand.
Beyond the HQ visit, the prize package includes an all-expenses-paid trip to a Formula 1 Grand Prix, behind-the-scenes access, custom Hot Wheels merchandise, and the full Hot Wheels F1 product range – plus a chance to help shape future liveries.
The US winner attends the United States Grand Prix in Austin, the UK winner heads to Silverstone, and the Mexican winner gets the Gran Premio de la Ciudad de México. There is also, per Mattel, a reserved parking spot at headquarters labeled “Hot Wheels Team Principal.” For Mom or Dad’s car, obviously.
The judging panel is not exactly a panel of interns.
Entries will be reviewed by Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali, 2009 FIA Formula One World Drivers’ Champion and F1 Ambassador Jenson Button, Mattel’s General Manager and Head of Vehicles and Building Sets Ted Wu, and Hot Wheels designer Kristina Albrecht.
Domenicali said, “In Formula 1, you must be ready to make the big decisions when it matters most. This is a fantastic way to put our youngest fans right at the heart of the action, giving them a unique chance to go behind the scenes for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. I’m really looking forward to seeing this evolution of this partnership and the incredible creativity and passion they bring to running their own team… I think some of our current Team Principals might even need to watch out!”
Button, for his part, is already sold. “In Formula 1, the difference between winning and losing can come down to one decision. Kids make those kinds of calls every time they play with Hot Wheels. I know the Hot Wheels Tiniest Team Principal will keep the rest of the Paddock on their toes.”
Ted Wu added: “The task is simple. We are looking for someone who builds, rebuilds, and takes on every challenge. A kid with strong opinions on what makes a car faster, cooler, and more fun. The Tiniest Team Principal might even take my job for the day… as long as I get it back.”
The Hot Wheels and F1 partnership has been growing steadily, and this is a savvy move for both brands – it pulls young fans deeper into the sport at exactly the age when these loyalties tend to stick. A kid who gets to design a die-cast car and sit in the paddock at ten is probably going to be watching grands prix at thirty. Mattel knows what it’s doing. Full entry details are available at here.
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This story was originally published May 30, 2026 at 10:18 AM.