Behind the Art

Illustrating Speed: Chris Rathbone on Art, Motorsport, and Power.

Inside the creative journey behind the limited-edition mophie x Oracle Red Bull Racing race destination series.

Illustrator and designer Chris Rathbone has carved a unique lane at the intersection of sport, speed, and art. With a lifelong passion for motorsport and a background in graphic design, his bold vector-based style captures the energy, precision, and drama of the world’s biggest sporting stages.

From Ferrari books to live illustration sessions, his work has spanned NBA courts, cycling tours, and Formula 1 circuits — and most recently, the mophie x Oracle Red Bull Racing collaboration.

Background & Inspiration

Can you take us back to the beginning — what first drew you into illustration and design?

I have always been passionate about drawing, and since a kid at school, art and design were always my favourite subjects. I’m a lifelong motorsport fan too, so I feel very lucky to be able to combine two of my passions.

Formula 1 has been a recurring theme in your work. Do you remember the first time you illustrated something F1-related?

I initially started doing cartoons after each F1 race and built up quite a big following from my work. I later moved toward a more graphical style of illustration.

Artistic Process

Your art is all vector-based — what draws you to that medium?

I come from a graphic design background, so vector work is something I was familiar with. The vector format lends itself perfectly to my graphical illustration style.

What does your creative process look like?

Some projects require working from photos if I need to draw a specific car or athlete. My favourite work is when I can start from scratch and develop the composition myself.

Collaboration & Project

Each artwork represents a race destination. How do you capture the essence of a city?

I like to study maps, watch race highlights, and research the environment around the track. That helps me capture the location accurately while still creating a dynamic illustration.

Do you have a favourite artwork from the series?

The Mexico illustration is probably my favourite. I loved drawing the stadium section and capturing the excitement of the car racing through that area of the track.

Philosophy

How do you overcome creative blocks?

I like to get out, travel, attend sporting events, and see where the work ends up. That usually helps me reset creatively.

Do you see parallels between art and Formula 1 engineering?

Attention to detail is critical in both worlds. Small refinements often make a huge difference to the final result.

Looking Ahead

Is there a dream collaboration you still want to pursue?

I’ve been fortunate to work with many incredible brands and teams already. I'm always excited to see what the next project brings.

Chris brings the same precision, creativity, and energy to his art that Formula 1 demands on track. His illustrations for the mophie x Oracle Red Bull Racing collaboration capture the spirit of speed, power, and performance.