Silverstone Museum has become the first venue in the UK to host Black Cats & Chequered Flags, an immersive virtual and mixed reality experience exploring the life and career of two-time Formula 1 world champion Alberto Ascari.

The installation has opened at the museum as a year-long exclusive exhibit, offering visitors an interactive look at Ascari's achievements, his superstitions, and the events that shaped his legacy, including the cursed number 26 and the black cats associated with his career.

Created by the Multiverse Institute for Arts and Technology (MIAT), the experience combines virtual reality, mixed reality, archival material and multiplayer gameplay to put visitors inside key moments from Ascari's racing career. Visitors will be able to take part in a simulated 1950s pitstop before racing alongside the Ferrari driver at Monza while experiencing period audio and visual recreations.

The project was selected for competition at the Venice Immersive section of the 82nd Venice International Film Festival in 2025 and previously premiered at the Ferrari Museum in Maranello.

Silverstone Museum director of curation and learning Rob Jaina said the installation was a natural fit given Ascari's close links to the track.

"It was in October 1948 when he first raced on the world-famous circuit, finishing second in the Royal Automobile Club International Grand Prix driving for Maserati, at the very first grand prix ever held here," said Jaina.

"He returned to Silverstone with Ferrari the following year and won the inaugural BRDC International Trophy, marking one of Ferrari's earliest victories on British soil.

"Ascari later won world championship grands prix at Silverstone in 1952 and 1953 on his way to consecutive Formula 1 world titles."

Ascari remains the only Italian driver to win multiple F1 world championships with Ferrari and is still the most recent Italian world champion in the series.

Silverstone Museum CEO Phil Lawrie described the attraction as another major addition to the venue's offering ahead of what it anticipates to be a record summer visitor season.

"We expect this exceptional experience to be extremely popular with our visitors," said Lawrie.

"The museum has a strong track record of offering unique experiences that help tell the story of Silverstone and the legends who have raced here."

The museum also announced that children aged 15 and under will receive free admission between July 6 and September 1 as part of its summer programme.

Black Cats & Chequered Flags will run at Silverstone Museum throughout the next year alongside the venue's existing exhibits and its current Driven by Design exhibition, which focuses on the designers behind some of F1's most influential cars.