– Those who stand on the podium on Sunday after the 2026 Italian Grand Prix in Monza (follow the race here in the Formula 1 live ticker!) will not receive a traditional trophy. Instead, the top three finishers and a representative of the winning constructor will receive a trophy that is deliberately unusual and even a little unstable. The name says it all: “Fragile” – in German: fragile.
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The trophy was designed by the Italian artist duo “vedovamazzei,” consisting of Stella Scala and Simeone Crispino. Their design visually consists of several stacked cups and bowls. The individual elements seem to balance loosely on top of each other and together form a tall, silver-shiny sculpture.
This clearly distinguishes “Fragile” from traditional motorsport trophies. And that is exactly the intention.
A Formula 1 victory is not forever
According to vedovamazzei, the starting point for the design was the old tradition of passing a shared cup from hand to hand during celebrations. From this idea came the concept of representing the seemingly individual success of a race winner as the achievement of a larger community – driver, team, and fans as well as the entire environment that makes a Grand Prix victory possible in the first place.
At the same time, the unusual construction carries a second message: A Formula 1 victory is always just a snapshot. The stacked vessels deliberately give the impression that the entire structure could lose balance at any moment. This is meant to illustrate that sporting success is not a permanent state.
Or as vedovamazzei put it: A success is “unstable, short-lived, and must be reclaimed.” Therefore, it is ultimately “fragile” – delicate.
How the Monza trophies were made
The reflective surface makes the trophies appear at first glance like classic metal trophies. In fact, a much more modern manufacturing process is behind them.
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This is how vedovamazzei proceeded: The artists first developed their ideas traditionally with drawings and sketches on paper. Then the objects were produced by 3D printing from nylon powder. After that, painting, galvanizing, and polishing were done, creating the characteristic metallic reflective surface.
Artist tradition at the Italian Grand Prix
The unusual trophies have now become a tradition at the Italian Grand Prix. Title sponsor Pirelli has had the Monza trophies designed by Italian artists since 2021. The multi-year project is created in collaboration with the contemporary art museum “HangarBicocca,” which is supported by Pirelli. (Photo series: The quirkiest Formula 1 trophies)
Photo series: The quirkiest Formula 1 winner trophies
It started in 2021 with Alice Ronchi. She was followed by Patrick Tuttofuoco in 2022, Ruth Beraha in 2023, Andrea Sala in 2024, and Nico Vascellari in 2025. For the sixth edition, the choice fell on vedovamazzei.
The artist duo is known for placing everyday objects in new contexts and ironically pointing out contradictions of daily life. This very principle is also reflected in the Formula 1 trophies: From ordinary cups and bowls emerges an object that on Sunday in Monza (follow the race here in the Formula 1 live ticker!) will stand for one of the greatest achievements in international motorsport.
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And despite its name, “Fragile” will likely easily withstand the traditional champagne shower on the Monza podium: The supposed fragility is primarily part of the artistic statement.
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