2020 Topps Chrome F1 Started it All
The 2020 Topps Chrome Formula 1 product was a game-changer for racing card collectors.
That first-year set features rookie cards of nearly every current top driver. Since that release, the F1 card community has experienced a significant jump. However, the popularity of F1 and its cards is still in its infancy in the United States, as Americans seek to match diehard European followers in the sport.
“Five years ago, there wasn’t an F1 product out there. So, naturally speaking, 2020 F1 was a big jump, and there’s a lot of hype around it,” said Aaron Amarant, a big F1 collector and owner of the AA Mint Cards shop in Cooper City, Florida. “The market blew up; prices got really insane. Everything has come back down to Earth, and F1 was one of those where it flushed out a lot of people who didn’t know what they were doing and were just in it for the hype. It left the true collector standing. I think F1 collectors are a subset of hoarders, in a way. It’s mainly around 2020, though. They see that as the ultimate F1 product.”
To have Topps knock it out of the park with its first F1 release set the tone and built excitement for years to come.
“When 2020 F1 came out, it kind of took the F1 community by storm,” Amarant said. “You had a lot of people who were introduced to Formula 1 via cards. At the same time, ‘Drive to Survive’ was a big Netflix show that came out. I feel like half the world got introduced to Formula 1 as this set was coming out, whether it was through the Netflix show or the set release. During COVID, people had more time to dive into this kind of thing. The set itself delivered with all the autos, all the key moments from previous seasons. It was a perfect storm, and everybody’s a rookie.”
Drivers to Collect
The two biggest names in F1 are Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen. It’s the crafty seven-time world champion in Hamilton and the youngster who has won the last three world championships in Verstappen.
Amarant compares the rivalry between the two F1 drivers to football’s equivalency of Tom Brady vs. Patrick Mahomes.
Amarant said there is such a good list of racers right now to collect, leading off with Hamilton. In his 18th season competing in F1, Hamilton made a big offseason move leaving Mercedes.
“He’s undervalued, in my opinion, because Mercedes has been struggling for so long,” Amaranth said. “But now that he’s switched to Ferrari, I think there’s going to be a growing interest in his career, especially if he comes out of the gate with a great race. I think his market’s going to shoot up.”
Just 27 years old, Verstappen has been capturing checkered flags at a record pace since entering F1 in 2015.
Both Hamilton and Verstappen have their rookie cards in 2020 Topps products. Hamilton’s Superfractor from 2020 Topps Chrome sold in 2022 for $900,000, a record sale for F1 cards.
“I love the Sapphire sets,” Amarant said. “I think the Sapphire sets are stunning. It depends on your budget. If you have an insane budget, go for a 2020 Dynasty card. But if you want to get started at a reasonable range, maybe $100 to $300, I’d go for some nice, low-numbered color of Max or Lewis Sapphire 2020.”
Lando Norris is an up-and-coming driver at just 25 years old. His top cards are also in the 2020 releases.
Amarant calls veteran racer Fernando Alonso a sleeper who doesn’t get enough appreciation. The 42-year-old has been a consistent driver over the years. He has autograph cards in the 2021 Topps Dynasty set.
Oscar Piastri was technically a rookie in 2021 when his cards first appeared while he competed in the F2 circuit. But his best cards come from 2023 releases when he is sporting McLaren Racing apparel.
One youngster to watch is Andrea Kimi Antonelli. The 18-year-old Italian will receive his first cards and autos in the 2024 Topps Chrome product.
“They’re touting him as a future Max Verstappen,” Amarant said. “They are starting him super young.”
Other current and former drivers that Amarant suggests collecting include Sebastian Vettel, Charles Leclerc, Alex Albon, Carlos Sainz Jr., and George Russell.
This Year’s Product
The 2024 Topps Chrome F1 product was released on November 22. This year, it has a slightly different flavor, with the top F1 drivers mixed with up-and-coming F2 and F3 racers.
Amarant said collectors will be ripping packs to get their hands on autos from F2 guys.
“You have a lot of people who made their debut in Formula 1 this year,” Amarant said. “You’re looking for F2 autos of Franco Colapinto, who now drives for Williams, who replaced Logan Sargeant at midseason. You’re looking for the autos of Kimi Antonelli, who’s actually replacing Lewis Hamilton next season at Mercedes—that will be a big chase there. Then you also have Oliver Bearman, who raced for Ferrari last year. It’s not his first auto; his first auto was in 2023. But he will still be one of those guys with a confirmed F1 seat going into the year.”
According to Amarant, this is a great time for anyone to start collecting F1 cards. The 2024 Topps Chrome F1 product includes blaster boxes and qualifying lap boxes at more reasonable price points.
“I would say right now it’s a great time to rip open some packs and have a good time overall while still having that chance to get that prospect that blows up,” Amaranth said.
