Will.I.Am is the Formula 1 ‘Global Artist in Residence’ and kicking off that partnership, he debuted a collab track with Lil Wayne.
The veteran producer kicked off the 2023 Formula 1 championship season over the weekend with the track. As part of the partnership, more F1 inspired tracks will be released before Will.I.Am drops his latest solo album. The first collaboration with Lil Wayne is aptly named “The Formula” and debuted as part of the Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix broadcast over the weekend.
“It’s a thrill to merge my passions—high-performance auto racing and music—in this pioneering alliance,” the producer says of the partnership with Formula 1. “Our goal is to shatter traditional boundaries by fusing music and racing, creating unforgettable experiences that introduce new fans to the excitement of F1 and showcasing the world’s finest artists and performers.”
Will.I.Am will drop his fifth full-length solo album later this year, his first since 2013’s #willpower. “The Formula” is the first music to be released and provided the soundtrack for the dynamic driver introduction ceremony, with a rousing live orchestra version conducted by Will.I.Am himself on the starting grid in Miami over the weekend. Meanwhile, fellow musician LL Cool J introduced each and every one of the 20 F1 drivers onto the grid at the Miami International Autodrome over the weekend.
This isn’t the first time Will.I.Am has partnered with Formula 1 for its music needs. The Black Eyed Peas partnered with F1 in November 2022 to put together a playlist ahead of the season finale last year in Abu Dhabi. During the course of that promotion, Will.I.Am said he believes Lewis Hamilton is the F1 driver that would make the best music artist. “Because he understand musicality and he is already the ultimate rock star,” the producer joked about the question when asked.