At The Pop-Up Hotel, we’re all about creating immersive experiences—and there’s no better match for the energy of Silverstone than one of this year’s artists in residence. He’s an engineer, former F1 demonstration driver, and now, a celebrated sculptor and jewellery designer transforming Formula One history into modern art.
Meet the Suffolk-based co-founder of Ress, Mike O’Connor, a man whose lifelong passion for motorsport has turned into something truly unique.
A Life in the Fast Lane
From his early days training as an engineer at Southampton University, there was always a sense that his career would move fast—literally. After a stint with the British Military, he found his way into Formula One, and in 2014/15 drove as an F1 Demonstration Driver in a 1994 Arrows FA15.
By 2016, he’d upgraded to a 2011 Sauber Ferrari C30 (Checo Pérez’s old car) and began a whirlwind tour of F1 Live events around the globe: Shanghai at night, the waterfront in Chicago. A F1 dream lived out behind the wheel.
From Engines to Art
But it wasn’t just about the driving. The roar of the V10 era—those visceral Sunday afternoons—never left him. That sound became his muse. In 2014, he created his first exhaust sculpture. It ended up in the flat of a very famous artist, just off Piccadilly Circus. That quiet vote of confidence launched a new chapter for Mike.
Three years later, he exhibited exclusively on Cork Street in Mayfair and even made the Ten O’Clock News. Why? His Gold Plated Ferrari V8 piece became the first significant piece of British Modern Art sold in Bitcoin—though he now admits with a grin that he took the cash instead. £32,000 seemed smart at the time… and yes, he’s doing his best not to think about what that Bitcoin would be worth today.
Sculptures with Soul
Each sculpture has a story—and often, a heart. His favourite? A single left-hand bank from the Jordan EJ12. It’s hand-polished to a mirror finish and internally plated in 24k gold as a tribute to the engine’s once-glorious soundtrack.
Another standout: a full engine set from Michael Schumacher’s 1995 Benetton B195, proudly displayed at the F1 Arcade in St Paul’s. But one commission sits especially close to home: Cutting Edge, created for the F1 Exhibition in Madrid. A 2/3 scale silhouette of a 2023 F1 car, made only from the leading edges of its aero surfaces. It’s a striking homage to Formula One’s place at the forefront of motorsport innovation.
A Legacy in Miniature: Ress Jewellery
Not just content with large-scale art, he founded Ress, a jewellery line designed to bring fans closer to the sport. Every bracelet is made from authentic, race-used F1 parts—meticulously documented, beautifully designed, and always limited-edition. “It’s a way for every fan to own and wear a piece of our sport,” he says. And now thanks to him, they can.
On Display at The Pop-Up Hotel
For the British Grand Prix, we’re thrilled to showcase seven of his iconic pieces, including:
- The Gold Plated Ferrari V8
- A powerful Williams piece loaned by a discreet Swiss collector
- The Cutting Edge sculpture
- Multiple pieces from the Jordan EJ12 and Benetton B195 sets
Each one is a piece of living F1 history—and you’ll find them exclusively on display at The Pop-Up Hotel throughout race weekend.
Silverstone and the Spirit of Motorsport
A lifelong Silverstone attendee (every year since 1988!), he considers the British Grand Prix the highlight of British Motorsport Month. “It’s the festival atmosphere,” he says. “We go from Heveningham Concours, to Silverstone, then straight to Goodwood. It’s the peak of excitement.”
His most iconic Silverstone memory? “Nigel Mansell in ’92. Though Fatboy Slim playing Saturday night this year might give him a run for his money.”
Why is the British Grand Prix so special?
“Because it’s the original. The home of Formula One. Monaco might be glamorous, but Silverstone has the crowd, the energy… it’s just brilliant.”
Come meet the man behind the machines, marvel at real F1 parts reborn as art, and celebrate the legacy of racing—all in the comfort of The Pop-Up Hotel.
