F1 teams carry tributes to Queen Elizabeth II on cars in Monza · RaceFans

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Formula 1 teams are carrying tributes to Queen Elizabeth II at this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix following the British monarch’s death yesterday at the age of 96.

The Queen, who was the longest-reigning monarch in the history of the United Kingdom having spent 70 years as the British head of state before her death on Thursday, attended the first ever round of the Formula 1 world championship at Silverstone in 1950 with her father, King George VI.

Formula 1 and all 10 teams expressed their condolences to the British Royal Family and United Kingdom following the official announcement yesterday. Ahead of this weekend’s Italian Grand Prix, a minute of silence was observed in the Monza pit lane involving all teams prior to the opening practice session.

Many teams – the majority of which have bases in the United Kingdom – are also carrying visible tributes on their cars this weekend.

Mercedes – who run two British drivers in their team including Lewis Hamilton, who was knighted by the new King, Charles III, last year – are running with a back ring around the roll hoop of their W13. Team members will also wear black armbands during the weekend’s track activities.

Red Bull observed a minute’s silence at their Milton Keynes factory, while all flags at their base have been lowered to half-mast for the next 10 days. Red Bull mechanics and team members are sporting black armbands and the team will not play music in their garage out of respect while the team’s social media channels will be limited. The RB18 will also feature a tribute to the Queen.

The Williams has added a decal to the halo on the FW44. Alpine, whose chassis factory is located at Enstone in the UK, will race with a black nose cone for the Monza race weekend, while McLaren will also run with a tribute on their MCL36.

Some major British-based sports, including the English Premier League and English Football League, have postponed their events this weekend as a mark of respect. However official UK government guidance has indicated there is no requirement for sporting organisations to cancel or postpone events in the UK during the official mourning period.