The WhatsApp F1 Button is an idea that demonstrates creativity through the use of strategic media placement in the context of Formula 1. The idea delivered a strong brand message in a never seen before way. It connected millions of people around the world, and two of the most recognized Formula 1 drivers (Lewis Hamilton and George Russell), to WhatsApp.

In Formula 1 races, communication is key. Especially between drivers and their team of engineers. Their conversations need to be fast, constant, reliable, and secure. And those are all the things WhatsApp offers to its users.

The brief was: WhatsApp is the world’s largest, most secure, and most reliable messaging app. It brings people closer around the world. So how do we announce our partnership and sponsorship with the Mercedes AMG Petronas F1 Team in a way that makes the WhatsApp brand stand out?

As the official messaging partner of Mercedes AMG Petronas Formula 1 Team, WhatsApp flexed the importance of secure communication with the smallest brand placement in sports history: The WhatsApp Button.

The Button was placed on the steering wheels of the Mercedes 2024 Formula 1 cars. It was used by the drivers every time they needed to communicate with their team. And it allowed WhatsApp to own each of those moments.

The strategy was clear: In Formula 1, every brand tries to feature their logo in the biggest way possible. WhatsApp decided to do the opposite, and feature its branding in the smallest, smartest, most effective way. No brand before had seen this space as the perfect media placement.

The Button was branded with the WhatsApp logo and colors. It was only 1cm in diameter, but it stood out from the rest of the buttons on the steering wheel.

Millions of viewers around the world were able to see the button being pressed by Sir Lewis Hamilton and George Russell – anytime they needed to talk to their team.

In the first 4 days of the activation, this little WhatsApp F1 button garnered 2.8 millions dollars in earned media, and 1.86 Billion in reach. And all of that organic PR led to our tiny ad on the steering wheel making a big impact in search as it became part of the Google knowledge panel.

The button is currently being used by the Mercedes F1 team at every race, which means, it is being seen by millions and millions of people through TV and online broadcast.