From F1 to canvas, Stefan Johansson brings his artwork to Wilton Legends

Better known to many for his career in Formula 1, Stefan Johansson will bring a different perspective to this year’s Wilton Legends at Wilton House. While his achievements on track are well established, it is his work as an artist that now defines a growing part of his career, offering an alternative way of interpreting the world of motor sport. We will be proudly displaying a number of his artworks across all three days, and the man himself will make a personal appearance (read more about that here).

Johansson’s racing career included spells with teams such as Scuderia Ferrari and McLaren during the 1980s, along with success in endurance racing, most notably winning the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1997. While that chapter of his career is well documented, it also provided the foundation for his work as an artist, shaping both his subject matter and perspective.

Alongside racing, Johansson had always maintained a strong interest in art and design. The turning point came in 1986, following the death of his close friend and fellow driver Elio de Angelis. In response, Johansson picked up a canvas and brush to create a piece in his honour. What began as a personal act of reflection developed into a lasting creative outlet, eventually forming the basis of a second career.

He began painting more seriously in the years that followed, initially as a way of capturing impressions from racing that photography could not fully convey. Over time, this developed into a more defined artistic approach. His work does not aim to document specific events or cars in a literal sense. Instead, it explores the feeling of speed, the play of light and the visual intensity of racing environments, often using bold colour and expressive composition.

Motor sport remains a recurring theme, but not in a conventional way. Rather than detailed depictions of cars or circuits, Johansson’s paintings suggest motion and energy through layered textures and contrasting tones. In this sense, his work sits between abstraction and representation, informed by first-hand experience but not confined by it. Alongside racing subjects, he has also explored landscapes and seascapes, extending the same interest in atmosphere and movement beyond the track.

His work has been exhibited internationally, particularly in the US and Europe, with shows in cities including Los Angeles and London. He has also presented collections at major motor sport events, where his dual career gives the work additional context. These exhibitions have attracted both collectors from the art world and enthusiasts drawn by his background in racing.

Bringing together experience from both racing and art, Johansson offers a perspective that connects performance, design and visual expression, making him a important addition to the conversations at the Wilton Legends at Wilton House.