The short answer
A Grand Prix is the big race at the end of every world in Animal Loop: all nine of the world's tracks, raced back to back at one speed you pick, against that world's rival animal. Beat the rival and they join your crew. Start on Beginner and you get unlimited lives, so anyone can make it to the finish. Your best total time stays on the Grand Prix card, and your Game Center friends' times show up next to it.
At a glance
- How it opens
- Earn a star on every track in a world
- Beginner speed
- Unlimited lives, so anyone can finish
- Faster speeds
- Up to 250cc, then No limit, which rises as you get faster
- Need a break?
- Save & Leave mid-race and pick it up later
- The prize
- Beat the rival's time and it joins your crew
- Your friends
- Once you've finished, they race it with you as ghosts
How a Grand Prix works
Find it under the tracks
Every world has nine tracks, shown as a grid of their outlines. Earn a star on every one and the Grand Prix opens, right under the grid. Its card shows all nine track shapes in race order and your best total time, so you know exactly what you're signing up for.
Pick your speed and face the rival
You race the whole Grand Prix at one speed you pick. Beginner gives you unlimited lives. Up to 250cc opens as you improve, and No limit keeps rising with you. Before it starts, the doors close on the world's rival animal, on top, and you, below, with both of your best times.
Race all nine tracks back to back
The Grand Prix runs every track in the world, one after another, with a lights-out transition between legs. Your times add up to one total. Tap to turn, stay off the walls and keep your hearts. Need a break? Save & Leave mid-race and pick it up later, with your time and lives, on the same track.
Beat the rival, win the racer
Every finish ends with a ceremony. Beat the world's rival and they join your crew, so you can race as them on any track. Then come back to beat your own best total, and your friends': once you've finished, they race the Grand Prix with you as ghosts.
The four Grand Prix and their rivals
Dune FlatsRival: the Armadillo
Coral ShallowsRival: the Puffer
Fern HollowRival: the Ladybug
Frost ValleyRival: the Penguin
From December 1
Frequently asked questions
How many Grand Prix are there in Animal Loop?
Four, one for each world: Dune Flats, Coral Shallows, Fern Hollow and Frost Valley, which arrives on December 1, 2026. Each one races all nine of that world's tracks.
How do I unlock the rival animals?
Win a world's Grand Prix. Beating the Armadillo in Dune Flats, the Puffer in Coral Shallows, the Ladybug in Fern Hollow or the Penguin in Frost Valley adds that rival to your crew, for free.
Can I race my friends in a Grand Prix?
Yes. The Friends page shows your Game Center friends' Grand Prix times in every world, with the gap to your best. And once you've finished a world's Grand Prix, your friends who've raced it join you there as ghosts, at the pace of their best times. See how to play Animal Loop with friends.
Can I stop in the middle of a Grand Prix?
Yes. Pause and choose Save & Leave, and the Grand Prix waits for you, with your time and lives, from the start of the track you were on.
What happens at the finish?
Every finish gets its moment. Beat the rival's time and it arrives to join your crew. If it beats yours, it holds up a cheeky taunt. And once the rival is in your crew, your finishes end on a podium.
Any tips for winning a Grand Prix?
Learn each track on its own first: the stars on each track card show what you've mastered. Then start the Grand Prix on Beginner, where you get unlimited lives, and turn up the speed once you know all nine tracks by heart.
More questions
Ready to race?
Animal Loop is free on iPhone, iPad and Mac, and every racer can be earned in the game.
Get Animal Loop free on the App Store See the game