In 2025, Fanatics Collectibles commissioned a standalone trading card set to headline the opening of their flagship London store. The Topps F1 Lights Out set celebrates 75 years of Formula 1 World Champions across a tiered print run from 1/1 to 1/99. Designed and art directed in six weeks from concept to print. Unveiled by Sir Lewis Hamilton at the launch event.
Project Details
• Full card set designed and art directed across 15-20 subjects
• Tiered print run across 1/1, 1/5, 1/10, 1/25, 1/50, 1/75, and 1/99
• Repeatable card system built to maintain character across the full set
• Produced to print-ready standard within a six week timeline
• Delivered as headline product for the Fanatics London store opening
client
Fanatics Collectibles / Topps
year
'25
timeframe
6 Weeks
COLLECTIBLES
SYSTEM
Problem
F1 trading card design rarely reflects the culture of the sport. Most sets play it safe. The Lights Out brief required something different - a set that could celebrate 75 years of World Champions across 15-20 subjects and seven rarity tiers, while feeling visually current rather than archival. The added complexity was delivering it to print-ready standard in six weeks, with hot foil stamping applied across names and logos throughout the set.
Solution
A contemporary card system built around a clear visual framework that could flex across every subject and print tier. Drawing on a deep knowledge of F1's visual culture, each World Champion was given individual treatment within a consistent structure. The set was designed to feel like a collector's product, not a catalogue.
