We’ve scoured the internet and canvassed opinion among race fans on social media to find the best motorsport-inspired product-placement commercials. We’ve cried with laughter and our toes have curled in shame along the way, but we’ve come up with a dozen that deserve sharing.
Featuring oil, motor cars, restaurant chains, aftershave, alcohol, computer games and fizzy drinks, the ads all have one thing in common: our favourite sport. Once you’ve ploughed through this lot, don’t forget to let us know if we’ve missed any. We reckon there are enough adverts out there hiding away to warrant part two.
Shell V-Power (above)
Ferraris of the past 60 years bring F1 fever to city centres around the world. Turn up the volume!
Honda
Waft through the ‘impossible dream’, with musical accompaniment from Andy Williams.
Pizza Hut
It’s all you can eat, with Murray Walker and Damon Hill. ‘Murray, we’re just out for a quiet pizza. Stop commentating!’
Texaco
Comedy geniuses – but hapless mechanics – Morecambe and Wise wind up World Champion James Hunt.
Brut 33
Featuring British big guns Barry Sheene and Henry Cooper – in a caravan.
‘Splash it all over, eh ’Enry?!’
Ford Focus
McRae magic with father and son legends Jimmy and Colin.
Kaliber
Who knew comedian Billy Connolly watched the BTCC and drank low-alcohol lager?
Ford Capri
F1 king Jackie Stewart and his wife Helen seem genuinely excited by the velour and vinyl of a Mk2 Capri.
Shell Helix
‘You’ve had it up against the red line since the flag dropped!’
‘It’s the only place to be, Baz!’
Nintendo
Rik ‘Nigel Mansell’ Mayall and friends with bushy brows and moustaches.
Renault Twizy
Ride round Mayfair with Sir Stirling Moss, accompanied by Pathé News commentary.
Pepsi Max
Journalist questions authenticity of NASCAR legend Jeff Gordon’s first ‘test drive’. Revenge is fizzy!
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