The Empire State Building Partners with WhatsApp and Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team to Produce Dynamic Light Show, Fifth Avenue Demo Run, Exclusive Pop-Ups, and More

The Empire State Building (ESB) today unveiled a street-to-Observatory takeover for fans in New York City, in partnership with WhatsApp, that featured an appearance from Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team driver Lewis Hamilton, to celebrate WhatsApp’s rapid growth in the United States, dynamic light show, and a street-side F1 car demonstration down New York City’s iconic Fifth Avenue. The chance for F1 fans to participate continues this week with an exclusive opportunity to see firsthand iconic Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team cars and an immersive emoji experience.

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Festivities included appearances by Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff to the world-famous Empire State Building Observatory and a never-before-seen F1 car demonstration down Fifth Avenue (Photo: Business Wire)

“We are thrilled to use the Empire State Building’s authentic, international voice and for our Observatory to play host to the highest gathering of Mercedes-AMG F1 fans as we welcome guests to experience up-close viewings of the team’s cars and interactive WhatsApp emoji displays at the world-famous Empire State Building Observatory,” said Jean-Yves Ghazi, president of the Empire State Building Observatory. “It is great to welcome Lewis Hamilton and Toto Wolff to this WhatsApp partnership, only at the Empire State Building Observatory Experience,” he continued.

ESB in the Grand Prix
On April 29, ESB debuted a dynamic WhatsApp x Mercedes-AMG F1 race in lights that featured the brand-new emoji race car. The new emoji car zipped through lower Manhattan in a competitive race with other emoji cars and highlighted famous New York City neighborhoods and Emoji-Yorkers decorated around WhatsApp message bubbles. The light display looped on the south side façade from 8:30 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. Lewis Hamilton, driver for the Mercedes-AMG PETRONAS F1 Team along with CEO and Team Principal, Toto Wolff visited the Empire State Building earlier that day to tour the world-famous Observatory Experience and flip the ceremonial switch ahead of the dynamic light show.