F1 Flag signed by Dragon Ball creator goes to Auction

F1 Flag signed by Dragon Ball creator goes to Auction

F1® Authentics is back with a colossal online auction to celebrate the start of the 2026 F1® campaign. The Season Lauch Auction features a plethora of rare and authenticated items, all boasting provenance from specific time periods in motorsport history. 

One of the most unique items at this auction is a piece sure to excite Manga fans worldwide, a flag featuring Dragon Ball characters from the 90s alongside the McLarenMP4/5B.Only a small number of items bearing this design are believed to have ever been printed and what makes this version so special is that it has been signed by the creator of Dragon Ball, Akira Toriyama, who as well as being an iconic storytellerwas an F1® enthusiast.

Why Did Dragon Ball have presence in F1®? 

In 1989, because of Honda’s interest in Formula 1® and the popularity of Ayrton Senna, there was a surge of attention on motorsport in Japan. Capitalizing on this newfound passion, Shueisha, one of the largest publishers in the country, decided to sponsor McLaren’s Formula 1 racing team. Their logo could be seen for the first time on the nosecone of the 1990 McLaren. 

Shueishawere the publishers of Weekly Shonen Jump, the best-selling weekly manga anthology publication, which included the Dragon Ball series. Multiple tie-ins to the sponsorship would follow including GP Boy, a two-volume manga created to commemorate the partnership, and even a manga that starred Ayrton Senna, focusing on his personal driving story and rivalries.

History encapsulated in print and ink 

Consigned to this auction from a private seller,this flag was originally personally gifted to the former Head of Marketing at McLaren F1® Team andhas been kept in flawless condition for well over three decades.The characters featured include Goku, Bulma, Master Roshi, Kid Goku and Krillin.The authentic signature of the late Akira Toriyama is clearly visible and is perfectly placed next to the illustrations without covering any of the designs.

For fans of F1® and Dragon Ball or Japanese Manga and Anime, this is a rare opportunity to own anillustration celebrating a unique cross-over and signed by one the most revered names in modern storytelling. 

As well as this unique Dragon Ball Flag, the Season Launch auction features highly sought after pieces of racing memorabilia including a Lewis Hamilton suit from his record-breaking first season in 2007 and a Max Verstappen suit from 2023, the peak of a Red Bull dominant era. 

The auction is live from Thursday March 5th2026, and collectors and fans can head to the F1® Authentics auction now to preview exclusive items for sale and register their interest to bid.