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F1, Lenovo unveil 'kiss-activated' trophy for Japanese Grand Prix

ayrton ostly, usa today
·2 min read
The winner's trophy for the Japanese Grand Prix is the first of its kind using technology by Lenovo.
The winner's trophy for the Japanese Grand Prix is the first of its kind using technology by Lenovo.

Formula 1 is in Japan this weekend for the final event in Asia of the 2023 calendar. The Japanese Grand Prix features the Suzuka Circuit and its storied history of F1 races.

Last week in Singapore, Carlos Sainz and Ferrari won to break the spell of Red Bull dominance from the season. This week could see a return to form for championship leader Max Verstappen and Red Bull at the technical and demanding circuit.

No matter who wins early Sunday morning, one driver will hoist a piece of history on the top step of the podium. Lenovo, the title sponsor of the race this weekend, announced that the winner will receive the first kiss-activated trophy.

All good things: F1: Ferrari's Carlos Sainz wins 2023 Singapore Grand Prix, ends Verstappen's historic streak

How does the "kiss" trophy work?

Once the winning driver kisses a sensor on the first-place trophy, the trophy will light up to display the flag of the winning driver's country.

Lenovo partnered with design firm Pininfarina to create the trophy that alludes to Formula 1 car designs.

“As a leading technology company, we challenged ourselves to find a way to embed smarter technology into the trophies in a way that’s never been done before to elevate the podium experience,” Philip Marchington, Lenovo Executive Creative Director of Corporate Marketing, said in a release about the trophy.

The "Kiss Me" button on the winner's trophy for the Japanese Grand Prix.
The "Kiss Me" button on the winner's trophy for the Japanese Grand Prix.

The Japanese Grand Prix is the first of two races to feature the trophy. Lenovo is the title sponsor for the United States Grand Prix on Oct. 22 and the winner will be given the kiss-activated trophy as well.

After qualifying, Verstappen has pole position for the race and is the favorite for victory, per DraftKings odds. If he takes his 13th win of the year, the Dutch flag will be the first to be displayed on the trophy.

The Japanese Grand Prix starts at 1 a.m. ET Sunday on ESPN.

Historic win: Max Verstappen breaks Formula 1 consecutive wins record with Italian Grand Prix victory

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Japanese Grand Prix trophy will be activated with winner's kiss