Start your engines!
The Empire State Building teamed up with Mercedes-AMG and WhatsApp for a takeover that spanned from its world-famous Observatory Experience down to its Fifth Avenue front door on April 29 and 30. Seven-time world champion and Mercedes-AMG Petronas team driver Lewis Hamilton and CEO & Team Principal Toto Wolff visited the "World's Most Famous Building" to kick off the two-day festivities which included a dynamic light show, lighting ceremony, and a street-side F1 car demonstration in front of the building.
See more from the historic takeover below!
ESB in the Grand Prix
On April 29, the Empire State Building debuted a dynamic light show that featured a brand-new emoji race car that zipped through beloved New York City neighborhoods and WhatsApp message bubbles. The display looped in intervals on the building's south side façade from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m.
That morning, Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff visited the "World's Most Famous Building" to flip the famous switch in a lighting ceremony and tour the immersive exhibits throughout the Observatory Experience.
See the full lighting ceremony below!
Race Through NYC
Early on April 30, fan-favorite Hamilton demonstrated a 2021 Mercedes-AMG F1 W12 E PERFORMANCE in a historic stunt for fans on Fifth Avenue between 35th and 33rd Street.
Welcome to the Paddock
Fans can step into the action with displays by WhatsApp and Mercedes-AMG F1 at the Empire State Building from now through May 5.
The iconic Fifth Avenue Lobby windows now feature special 2D and 3D emoji-themed designs which depict scenes of a Formula 1 garage loaded with tools, tech, and stickers.
The 80th Floor of the Observatory Experience now houses a life-size emoji car and pit stop with an engineering station that features versions of the technology that goes into Formula 1 car maintenance and audio emulation of a fully functioning F1 car crew. The Mercedes-AG F1 display will also feature three Formula 1 trophies, driver overalls, boots, gloves, and helmets.
Fans can pose inside a WhatsApp chat and view a Mercedes-AMG F1 W14 E PERFORMANCE show car on the building's 86th Floor Observatory.
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