Children can grab a free LEGO F1 Academy race car model at the Metrocentre in Gateshead this weekend. The shopping centre is hosting mini build sessions on Saturday, 4 July, and Sunday, 5 July, where young builders aged six and over can piece together their own miniature racing machine.
Saturday’s session runs from 10am to noon, while Sunday’s takes place between noon and 2pm. All the building happens at the LEGO Store in Lower Red Mall. Numbers are strictly limited, handed out on a first-come, first-served basis while stocks last, and only one model per person is allowed. The tiny F1 Academy car cannot be bought—it is only available through the free build event.
The Metrocentre has a long track record of free LEGO take-home events at the store. Earlier this year, children snapped up Star Wars lightsaber models during another Make & Take weekend. This latest giveaway ties into a wider partnership between LEGO and the all-female F1 Academy racing series, which saw the company field its own car on the 2026 grid. A Speed Champions F1 Academy set also hit shelves in March.
Families making the trip can extend the outing beyond the build table. The centre, which turned 40 this year, houses more than 270 shops and 60 places to eat, with several restaurants offering kids-eat-free deals during the holidays.
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