Pirelli confirmed that it withdrew the America GP trophies due to “similarities.”
At the end of the U.S. GP in Austin, winner Charles Leclerc, second-place Carlos Sainz, and third-place Max Verstappen stepped onto the podium, but something was missing—three things, in fact. None of the drivers who finished on the podium were awarded the highly talked-about trophies that Pirelli showcased in the days leading up to the race. The original “Heroo” trophies, produced by Pirelli and designed by Italian artist Matteo Macchiavelli, each featured a black body and jointed arms made of carbon fiber, with a chrome head corresponding to the finishing position: gold for first (with real gold dust), silver for second, and titanium for third.
Sainz and Verstappen lifted mini tires similar to those awarded on Saturday as qualifying prizes. Leclerc was seen holding a long metallic tube-shaped trophy. According to a statement from the company, after Pirelli withdrew the original trophies, all three needed to be flown in from one of the company’s offices in the U.S.
Pirelli introduced the trophies earlier in the week, showcasing them on the grid by posing in front of the pit wall and using their paddock access credentials. The company had also initially mentioned that collectible “art toys” would be made available for sale to the public, which may have caused some issues. Since the end of the race on Sunday, Pirelli has even removed the original announcement link about the trophies from its press site.
