Leica Camera and Formula 1® have announced a new licensing partnership, introducing a special edition Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® camera. This collaboration publicly debuted on October 20, 2026, at an exclusive event held at the Leica Store and Gallery in Los Angeles. This new camera, which combines elements of photography and motor racing, carries a retail price of $9,950 and became available for purchase on the same day through all Leica Stores, the Leica Online Store, and specialist retailers.
The partnership aims to embody shared values of precision, teamwork, and craftsmanship, all focused on "the decisive moment." The debut event featured Formula 1 presenter Ariana Bravo and 2009 FIA Formula 1® Drivers' World Champion Jenson Button, who presented the collaboration to guests. Accompanying the unveiling was an exhibition of 26 motorsport photographs by Callo Albanese, an Italian photographer known for his specialization in Formula 1 and motorsport imagery.
Both Leica Camera and Formula 1® share a long tradition of innovation, which has driven the creation of this special edition camera. It is designed to enable exceptionally authentic photography and translate the excitement of motorsport into a handcrafted design. Key features include a wireless charging handgrip with a genuine carbon fiber shell, a soft-release button with a carbon inlay and a red rim, and a matching thumb rest. Further design details incorporate a non-slip Microvelour covering, which is modeled after a racing steering wheel, along with an F1 logo prominently displayed on the camera's top plate and lens cap. A rope strap, included in the set, complements the carbon fiber components and bears the logos of both brands.
The camera's visible fiber structure is made from genuine carbon, a material central to motor racing due to its combination of low weight and extreme rigidity, though it is not traditionally used in Leica cameras. These specific carbon fiber parts for the Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition were manufactured and tested exclusively in Germany. The material is strategically positioned at key points where the camera is held and operated, creating a tangible connection to motorsport with every shot.
The design is further enhanced by a black Microvelour covering, with a texture inspired by racing steering wheels. The red accents found on the soft-release button and one of the two function buttons on the thumb rest are also derived from the color-coded control elements found on racing steering wheels, designed to aid quick identification for drivers. The complete set is rounded out with a special carrying strap featuring F1 branding and custom-designed packaging with a red inlay. Every aspect of the camera's detail reflects the high level of precision demanded on the racetrack.
Technically, the Leica Q3 43 model provides the foundation for this special edition. It features an APO-Summicron 43 f/2 ASPH. lens, which has a 43-millimeter focal length. This focal length offers an angle of view that closely mirrors how the human eye naturally perceives the world, aiming to eliminate the need for zooming or searching, particularly beneficial in environments like the paddock and around the racetrack where capturing atmosphere and proximity is crucial. The camera is equipped with a BSI CMOS full-frame sensor that utilizes Triple Resolution Technology, providing options for 60, 36, or 18 megapixels. A fast hybrid autofocus system and extensive video functions complete the technical package.
A new 'Formula 1' look was specifically developed for this camera, available exclusively through the Leica FOTOS App. This look provides a rendering with higher contrast and richer saturation to complement the world of motorsport, capturing the atmosphere of the racetrack and paddock in the final image. This effect is visible in the viewfinder while taking photos, rather than emerging only during post-processing. The Leica FOTOS App also enables the transfer of images and videos to mobile devices. The Leica Q3 43 Formula 1® Edition is compatible with other Leica Q3 and Q3 43 photography accessories.
Leica Camera AG, an international premium manufacturer, is headquartered in Wetzlar, Germany, with a second production site in Vila Nova de Famalicão, Portugal. The company operates a global network of approximately 120 Leica Stores and has expanded its portfolio beyond cameras and lenses to include mobile imaging, high-quality spectacle lenses, watches, and home cinema projectors. The Leica brand is recognized for its excellence in quality, German craftsmanship, industrial design, and innovative technologies, actively promoting the culture of photography through its galleries, academy, and international awards.
Formula 1® racing, established in 1950, stands as the world's most prestigious motor racing competition and its most popular annual sporting series. Formula One World Championship Limited, part of Formula 1®, manages the exclusive commercial rights to the FIA Formula One World Championship™. Formula 1® itself is a subsidiary of Liberty Media Corporation.