Board games are more than just plastic and cardboard. They serve as a meeting point for art and intense competition. A truly great game offers a visual feast and a mental workout. This perfect balance is captured in the Lacorsa Grand Prix Game. Its design tells a compelling story, evoking vintage motorsport and modern graphic style. It is undoubtedly one of the best art board games.
Designer Mark Haskins spent two years researching its creation. He didn’t rush the design process, aiming to capture the essence of auto racing’s most glamorous era. The result is a seamless blend of graphic art, sculptural form, and strategic fun. This game is a race you’ll want to watch unfold. It’s a piece of art you’ll want to play again and again.
The Poster Art Influence
The visual heart of the game comes directly from racing history. Haskins loves old racing posters. He especially admires the stunning work of Max Huber. Huber created the Italian Grand Prix posters of the 50’s, and 60’s. Those designs possess a certain timeless quality. They capture speed using simple, bold shapes. This modern print aesthetic became the game’s core style, found on the playing cards.
The art is intentionally mixed from different eras. The game uses graphic art, not photographs. This choice gives everything a striking, clean look. It aligns with the principles of Swiss graphic design. That clean, gridded style looks exceptionally brilliant in the rulebook and on the box. This attention to detail creates a strong sense of place and time. It grounds the game in a very special history.
Mark took his graphic cues very seriously. He even brushed up on grid systems. That training guided the design of the Sporting Regulations booklet. Every element on the board and cards feels deliberate. The visuals are not just pretty. They serve the design's purpose, making the rules feel crisp, organized, and comprehensive..
The Typography of Speed
Even the choice of typeface communicates a lot. The font used for the game’s instructions is Univers, designed by Adrian Frutiger. Frutiger based Univers on classic Swiss design principles, which convey clarity and a modern, organized look. It is period-accurate for the racing era the game celebrates.
The game's name and logo also have a rich history. The name LACORSA combines two Italian words: “la corsa,” which simply means The Race. Italians are renowned for their passion for auto racing and design. The Lacorsa Grand Prix Board Game proudly reflects that national spirit, embodying the speed and style of Italian racing.
The logo’s typeface is Press Gothic, a lesser-known Italian modern font. It was designed by Aldo Novarese and was initially called Metropol. It resembles the advertising used by AGIP at the Italian GP during the same period. The arrow in the logo is a common racing symbol that also represents a futurist concept—always looking forward and keeping moving forward. It simplifies and embodies the linear nature of the racing on the board.
The Look of Pure Speed
The miniature cars receive the same meticulous attention. Mark cherished the elegant forms of 60’s Grand Prix racing machines, aiming to amplify their iconic features. These cars evoke a vision of the future as imagined by designers from that era, resulting in striking, sculptural representations.
The proportions are inspired by a 70’s Ferrari Formula One vehicle, imparting a sense of weight and presence. This design choice emphasizes the formidable challenge of overtaking on the race track. Their visual solidity transforms them into racing chess pieces, each reflecting its strategic role in the game.
The color palette is intentionally iconic. Red signifies Italian marques like Ferrari and Maserati. British Racing Green represents Lotus and Cooper. Racing White, once associated with Mercedes, came to symbolize Japan’s Honda in the sixties. These colors establish an immediate connection to racing heritage, blending history with high design.
The Thrill of the Fight: Player Interaction
The thrill of the game extends far beyond its visuals. It lies in the relentless interaction among players, ensuring you're never truly out of the action. There's always another challenge, another opportunity to fight for victory. The rush of pulling off a flawless strategy is electrifying, constantly prompting the question, “Can I hold my ground? Am I pushing my luck?”
The social aspect is intensely engaging. Every player battles every other, creating a dynamic tension that keeps the game alive. Its design leaves no room for complacency—cars are vying for position at every turn. At its heart, racing is simple: how do I get my car to the front?
This focus keeps the pace swift and the atmosphere tense. You test a strategy, adapt mid-race, and react to your opponents’ moves amid uncertainty. Mark envisioned recreating the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a board game, but soon saw the need to trim the time commitment. The Lacorsa Board Game masterfully captures the adrenaline-fueled spirit of racing, without the boredom of endless hours.
A Legacy of Design and Speed
The Lacorsa Grand Prix Game is a unique creation that serves as a true gathering spot for design, history, and intense competition. Its detailed development is deeply connected to automotive history, which is reflected in every aspect. The game looks and feels like a classic from another era.
Most importantly, Lacorsa is an enjoyable racing board game that captures the excitement of Formula 1 racing. Its straightforward gameplay begins quickly, with complex strategies emerging as players compete. It’s perfect for racing fans who want to share their passion with friends and family as they race for positions and craft strategies through lively social interactions.