Paul Oz, the dynamic British artist and sculptor, has become an integral part of the Formula 1 world, blending explosive impasto techniques with hyper-realistic bronzes to capture the raw intensity of the sport. His work with F1 teams spans collaborations with powerhouses like McLaren, Ferrari, and Lamborghini, where he creates custom pieces for sponsor activations, live paintings in paddock clubs, and monumental tributes to drivers. For McLaren, he's embarked on a decade-long project to sculpt each of their world champion drivers in bronze, starting with legends like Bruce McLaren, Niki Lauda, James Hunt, and Ayrton Senna, with ongoing works for Lewis Hamilton and Mika Häkkinen. Oz's presence is felt at every Grand Prix circuit, exhibiting in paddock clubs and partnering with teams to celebrate milestones, such as using actual race suits and helmets for authenticity in his textured oil paintings that build up to 3D effects. His art not only adorns team headquarters but also engages fans globally, making him F1's go-to portrait artist for immortalizing the high-speed drama.
What fuels Paul Oz's creativity is a deep-rooted passion for the energy and emotion of his subjects, drawn from a childhood immersed in Lego builds, 1980s icons, and competitive sports like cycling and motorsport. F1, in particular, captivates him with its blend of speed, precision, and human stories, inspiring pieces that echo his aerospace engineering background's focus on three-dimensional forms. Legends like Ayrton Senna embody the ultimate drive and professionalism that motivate Oz, while modern stars such as Lewis Hamilton spark works highlighting triumph and innovation. Beyond racing, his inspirations include pop culture staples like Star Wars and British heritage, leading to collections that mix personal fandom with universal themes of movement and sparkle. This intuitive approach ensures his art remains vibrant, as he intuitively channels the "dynamic and energy" of whatever fascinates him, from wrinkly portraits to diamond-dusted screen prints.
Oz's path to F1 artistry was a serendipitous shift from engineering to self-taught mastery, bypassing formal art training due to strong grades in math and physics that led him to aerospace engineering and later software roles. He began painting as a weekend escape, filling blank walls in his apartment around 2008 with abstract works that evolved into figurative pieces. His F1 breakthrough came in 2006 with a celebratory painting of Jenson Button's first win, fueled by his lifelong fandom, which snowballed into live gigs and commissions. By 2010, after redundancy, he went full-time, organically entering the F1 scene through fan-driven art that caught teams' eyes—no aggressive pitches, just authentic passion leading to invitations like painting on the Team Sky bus or at charity events. This transition marked a full embrace of his sculptural instincts, honed from childhood Lego play, into professional bronze work by 2012.
Among Oz's standout achievements are his groundbreaking Senna sculptures, including the 2019 "Senna Eau Rouge" life-sized bronze, crafted via 3D scanning where Oz himself posed in a replica suit after shedding weight for accuracy, now permanently at McLaren's HQ with proceeds aiding Brazilian children through the Instituto Ayrton Senna. He followed with "Senna La Rascasse" in 2024, cast from melted magnesium wheels of recent McLaren cars, unveiled dramatically in Las Vegas despite a fiery foundry mishap. Other triumphs include commissions from stars like Lewis Hamilton for personal pieces, such as his rainbow helmet or a Union Flag victory portrait, and being a finalist for Best Selling Published Artist awards. His global impact extends to charity patronage for causes like testicular cancer awareness and fundraising for Cancer Research UK, alongside exhibitions at British embassies and race circuits, solidifying his legacy as a bridge between art and motorsport.
