The art of Formula One
Motorsport

The art of Formula One

Updated 1347 GMT (2147 HKT) December 1, 2014
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Formula One's sleek, super-fast cars are perfectly engineered motoring works of art but the cars are also inspiring other artists... American Dennis Hoyt has turned his passion for F1 into large scale sculptures that aim to convey speed like this classic Ferrari 312 raced by the sport's Italian maestros in the 1960s. Dennis Hoyt
The car parts, rather than their whole, can also provide inspiration. Polishing an exhaust from a 2006 Red Bull Racing car led to a lightbulb moment for John Haigh. "It made me think we can really show off this fantastic engineering that is beautiful in its own right," he tells CNN. This exhaust lamp sells for $25,000. Racing Gold
For others with a design eye, it's the racing circuits that provide the inspiration. American architect Russell Brynes created his Linear Edge company after making a scale replica of a motor racing circuit for a friend to hang on his wall. "If someone doesn't know what it is they think it's modern art," he says.
F1 art can be functional too as Mercedes chiefs Niki Lauda and Toto Wolff find out as they hang out under the 1carus statue which was unveiled at the 2014 British Grand Prix. Formula Money
Hoyt's sculpture "Seven" celebrates Michael Schumacher's seven world titles. "F1 is my favorite motorsport," says Hoyt, whose first piece was commissioned by 16-time grand prix winner Sir Stirling Moss in the 1980s. "I'd love to do some stuff with Lewis Hamilton, I think he's brilliant." Dennis Hoyt
Oregon-based Hoyt works only in wood and starts each piece from the roots. "I like to work in three-dimensional mediums as I feel that art work should be touched," he says. "The larger pieces go for $150,000. They're over two meters long and usually take about 6-9 months from beginning to end." Dennis Hoyt
"I always look at the cars and how to depict them at speed and motion in a more exciting, visceral way," says Hoyt. "If you could show the echo of a car with the wheels disappearing that will achieve the visual effect. I'm constantly looking at ways to make the wood look even faster." Dennis Hoyt
Haigh's company Racing Gold makes functional works of arts in partnership with Red Bull using components from the team's racing cars. "You realize all the parts have numbers that relate to a particular Mark Webber F1 car, for example, and it becomes a dream thing to own," he tells CNN. This cruet set is made from gear box filters. Racing Gold
Haigh says he doesn't see himself as an artist, even though he conjured a clock out of front torsion spring spokes. He says: "The quality of the components inside an F1 car are so amazingly made that I believe people need to see this beautiful stuff - that's why we do it." Racing Gold
Byrnes describes the inspiration behind his wall sculptures: "There is such a deep history in each track, each corner. There's not one corner at Monaco that you can't tell you 10 stories about." The curves of the Monte Carlo street circuit are his best seller. The pieces are all made in Texas and go from just $160.
The 1carus statue was designed by British sculptor Tom Maley and displayed by F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone outside his headquarters at the British GP. "I did a smaller, bronze piece for Bernie which he has in his offices," Maley revealed to CNN. "1carus is partly man, partly machine. His wings are a representation of an exhaust system." Formula Money
If you're truly head over heels for the art of Formula One and have a few million dollars to spare, then why not buy the most unique motoring art of all, a real F1 car? Each car is a limited edition made to last for just one race. Adam Pretty/Getty Images