F1 AUSTRIAN GP DRIVERS' PARADE DITCHES TRADITIONAL LORRY FOR TEAM-LIVERIED KTM X-BOWS

The Austrian Grand Prix ditched its usual flatbed lorry for the drivers' parade, opting for a fleet of team-liveried KTM X-Bows. Each of the 22 drivers was chauffeured in a bespoke, Austrian-manufactured X-Bow, wrapped to match their F1 team's livery. These ultra-lightweight track cars pack a punch, boasting 330 horsepower and hitting 0-100km/h in a swift 3.9 seconds.

Fans reacted positively, with some even suggesting the drivers should have raced the X-Bows, recalling the popular, chaotic life-sized LEGO cars at the 2025 Miami Grand Prix. That American race spectacle, a fan favorite, set a high bar for pre-race entertainment. The shift to performance cars for the parade highlights F1's continued effort to innovate beyond the track. This blend of local flavor and fan engagement shows the series is committed to a dynamic show, a trend U.S. races have successfully embraced.