You can recognise genuine F1 merchandise mainly by the seller, the price and details that counterfeiters often get wrong: the correct manufacturer for the season, current driver numbers, quality embroidery and complete labels. No single sign is 100% reliable; what counts is the combination. Below is a checklist you can go through before buying and after unpacking.
Why it matters
Fakes are not just a matter of quality. According to a 2021 EUIPO survey, 9% of Europeans said they had been misled into buying a counterfeit, and a third were unsure whether a product they bought was genuine (FashionUnited). The European Consumer Centres Network warns that customs may destroy seized counterfeits, so buyers can lose both the goods and their money (ECC-Net).
Quick checklist
| What to check | Genuine | Warning sign |
|---|---|---|
| Seller | traceable company (name, registration number, address), returns policy | only a contact form, anonymous marketplace profile |
| Price | in line with the manufacturer's usual price; discounts mainly on older seasons | current team collection at a fraction of the price |
| Manufacturer on the product | matches the team and season (e.g. McLaren 2026 = Puma) | logo of a manufacturer that didn't supply the team that season |
| Driver numbers and names | match the season (Norris 1, Verstappen 3 in 2026) | a combination that never existed in any season |
| Sponsor logos | sharp, correct colours and proportions | blurry print, missing or outdated logos |
| Embroidery and seams | dense, even, no loose threads | sparse embroidery, crooked logos |
| Labels | sewn-in brand label, fabric composition, care instructions, product code | missing or illegible labels, typos |
1. Start with the seller
You can spot most fakes before you even open the product page. A reputable online shop states who runs it: company name, registration number, registered address, contact details and terms including complaints and returns. If you can't find any of this, or the operator is outside the EU and the site looks hastily built, be careful.
The European Consumer Centres also advise you to:
- read reviews from other buyers,
- compare logos and packaging with the original on the manufacturer's website,
- pay with a method that offers buyer protection (such as a card).
On online marketplaces and classified ads, genuine and fake goods are sold side by side. So check the specific seller, not just the platform.
2. A price that's "too good"
Genuine teamwear is made by major brands (Puma, adidas, Castore, New Era) and its price includes licensing fees. A current team collection at a fraction of the usual price is the most common warning sign. Steep discounts are, on the other hand, normal for past-season collections when retailers clear stock.
3. Does the manufacturer match the team and season?
This is a check counterfeiters often overlook. Teams change clothing suppliers, and every item carries the logo of that season's manufacturer. For 2026:
- Ferrari – Puma (partner since 2005, deal renewed in 2023),
- McLaren – Puma from 2026, Castore from 2022 to 2025,
- Mercedes – adidas since 2025,
- Red Bull Racing – clothing by Castore, caps by New Era,
- Williams – New Era from 2026, Puma before that,
- Cadillac – Tommy Hilfiger (new team in 2026).
A McLaren shirt with a Castore logo is therefore not a fake – it is from the 2022–2025 collections. A "McLaren 2026 team shirt" with a Castore logo, or a Williams 2026 item with a Puma logo, is suspicious.
4. Driver numbers and transfers
Fakes are often printed from old templates. In the 2026 season, Lando Norris races with number 1 as the 2025 world champion and Max Verstappen with number 3 (Formula1.com). Lewis Hamilton has been at Ferrari since 2025, Carlos Sainz at Williams. Merchandise with a combination that never existed in any season (for example a 2026 Ferrari team shirt with the name of Carlos Sainz, who last drove for Ferrari in 2024) is a clear sign of a fake.
5. Workmanship details
Clothing
- Sponsor logos – team editions carry many, and size, colour and placement must match. Compare with photos from the manufacturer or team.
- Print and embroidery – sharp edges, no base showing through, no loose threads.
- Labels – a sewn-in brand label, a composition and care label and, with major brands, a product code you can look up on the manufacturer's website.
Caps
For caps, check the front embroidery, clean seams inside, crown firmness and labels. The visor sticker (typical of New Era) is copied too, so on its own it doesn't prove authenticity. New Era states on its website that it monitors and removes listings on auction sites but cannot guarantee the authenticity of products bought there (New Era).
Model cars
For models, check the box (manufacturer, scale, team licence marking), paint and decal quality and the correct details of that season's car. Remember that manufacturers differ in material: Spark makes resin models, Minichamps and Bburago die-cast metal. If a seller advertises a "die-cast Spark model", something doesn't add up.
6. Signed items and memorabilia
For signed items and car parts, provenance is what matters. A certificate of authenticity only means something if it was issued by a traceable party. Formula 1 has an official memorabilia store, F1 Authentics, where every item comes with a certificate of authenticity (Formula1.com). A "certificate" printed by an anonymous seller carries no weight.
What to do if you suspect a fake
- Don't use the item and photograph the labels, packaging and details.
- Contact the seller and file a complaint or withdraw from the contract (for online purchases in the EU you generally have 14 days to withdraw without giving a reason).
- If you paid by card, ask your bank about a chargeback.
- You can report a suspicious seller to the national consumer authority (in the Czech Republic, the Czech Trade Inspection Authority) or to the marketplace operator.
Where to buy safely
Safe options are the official stores of teams and manufacturers and retailers with a traceable identity and clear terms. At Prixiro we sell 100% original products – find team collections in F1 teams, merchandise by driver in F1 drivers and collector's models in Formula 1 models.
Frequently asked questions
Is a McLaren shirt with a Castore logo fake?
Not necessarily. Castore made McLaren's clothing from 2022 to 2025; Puma has been the supplier since 2026. Only a shirt labelled as the 2026 collection with a Castore logo is suspicious.
Does a visor sticker prove a cap is genuine?
No. Visor stickers are copied just like logos. Assess the seller, price, embroidery, seams and labels together.
What happens if I order a fake from abroad?
Customs may detain a parcel suspected of containing counterfeits and destroy the goods. According to the European Consumer Centres, you may lose both the goods and your money.
What driver numbers appear on genuine 2026 merchandise?
For example Lando Norris 1, Oscar Piastri 81, Max Verstappen 3, Charles Leclerc 16, Lewis Hamilton 44, George Russell 63 and Kimi Antonelli 12.
Is discounted teamwear suspicious?
Not always. Discounts are common on past-season collections. What's suspicious is mainly a current team collection at a fraction of the usual price from an unverified seller.