F1 2025 Liveries: The Best, the Bold, and the Boring
A Bold New Look on the Grid
"If it ain't broke, don’t fix it" - is usually what I say about F1 liveries that not only look great, but also perfectly embody a team's identity. Some teams understand the power of a signature look, and I have to give credit to Red Bull and McLaren for that.
I'm usually not the type of person to gripe about car liveries - after all, the designers know best. I’m simply sharing my thoughts as a dedicated fan - ah, and trying to get paid while I’m at it. Sometimes I can't believe I'm getting paid to talk about my hyperfixations.
I wrote this article to express my thoughts and opinions regarding this year's F1 livery reveals. If you're curious to read more, feel free to dive in:
10. Sauber
I was never really crazy about this one. The design isn’t bad, it just lacks that strong brand character other teams display. The green is also pretty jarring in person. When I attended the Montreal Grand Prix last June, the car stood out, but not in the most flattering way. It might be because I like the mellow color schemes Aston Martin and Mercedes use. This color reminds me more of the green highlighter I had in middle school I chucked at my friend. I think everyone would also agree that the signature Alfa Romeo red will forever be missed.
Photo courtesy of Getty Images
9. Ferrari
This might be an unpopular opinion, but I'm not sold on the HP logo being so large. At least with Stake, the green, white, and black blend well, but the blue HP logo feels completely out of place with Ferrari’s traditional color scheme. I get that HP is a major sponsor, but maybe it could be positioned in a more subtle spot, like on the nose. The fact that it’s featured prominently on both the rear and the wing is a bit jarring for me. That said, the darker red looks sharp, and I definitely prefer it over last year’s shade of red.
Photo courtesy of Ferrari
8. Mercedes
I think it's just me, but I prefer the all-black Mercedes livery to the silver. It's sharp. And while I can appreciate this year's throwback look, I think the team successfully adapted the black & blue color scheme over time. I'm also just not big on grey cars, and I honestly don't have a reason for it.
Photo courtesy of Mercedes
7. Red Bull
As I mentioned earlier if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. Red Bull’s branding has always been incredibly strong, and I’m not saying it needs a complete overhaul. However, it’s a bit frustrating to see other teams putting in effort to evolve their liveries, while Red Bull can get away with just slapping on a single red decal. It's pretty clear to me that the team remains unenthusiastic in conforming. And there was just so much potential with this car that it hurt. The team could have done something similar to their Miami or Turkish GP liveries, which most people loved. That said, the color scheme still works perfectly, and I do appreciate how the team stays true to its iconic branding.
Photo courtesy of Formula One
6. McLaren
Building on what I mentioned earlier, I do value maintaining brand character, but maybe this team could afford to be a bit more ambitious with their design. Over the years, they’ve produced some truly stunning liveries, like the ones in 2017, 2019, and 2022. That said, I do appreciate how the Mastercard logo complements the car’s primary color scheme—it's a much better integration than Ferrari’s decision to highlight the light blue HP logo. Also, I just love orange.
Photo courtesy of McLaren
5. Aston Martin
This shade of green looks amazing on an F1 car, and its resemblance to last season's livery is the reason it's ranked a bit lower on the list. That said, I appreciate how the sponsor logos are all in white. The sharp white lettering contrasts wonderfully with the dark green, while the secondary-colored green numbers on the nose match the drivers' raceware.
Photo courtesy of Formula One
4. Haas
Haas' color scheme has always been strong. The way the team integrates its main sponsor, MoneyGram, is impressive and seamlessly aligns with their overall branding. On a personal note, I really like how they've inverted the black color to white on the body of the car. The Haas logo looks bolder in white lettering, and it complements the rest of the design beautifully. There's a noticeable difference from last year's livery and I firmly believe the design improved.
Photo courtesy of Haas
3. Williams
Blue is my favorite color, and I can't get enough of this stunning livery. It reminds me of the ocean with its rich, deep hues that feel both bold and serene at the same time. Every detail just enhances the overall sleekness of the design. A lot of people would probably disagree with me about the placement of the Duracell logo, but I think it's a fun and creative way to implement a sponsor logo. I actually wrote a two-part research article on William's partnership with Duracell from a marketing perspective during my time at college. I had a lot of fun putting it together, so maybe check it out.
Photo courtesy of Williams
2. Alpine
Racing performance aside, this livery is stunning. It showcases a sleek and striking design, blending vibrant blue and subtle accents of pink and black for a modern, eye-catching look. The deep blue is a nod to Alpine's racing heritage, with the pink accents adding a fresh, bold twist that makes the car stand out on the grid. I also love how the sponsor logos are integrated. They are carefully placed, allowing the design to maintain its clean and refined aesthetic while highlighting the partnerships that power the team.
Photo courtesy of Alpine
1. Racing Bulls
Talented, brilliant, incredible, amazing, show-stopping, spectacular, never the same, totally unique, completely not ever been done before, etc. I love everything about this livery design, from the all-white body to the subtle bull pattern that screams "Red Bull"- or I guess I should say, "blue bull" in this case. Also, I'm really impressed with how fresh this design looks while still maintaining a strong connection to the team's identity.
Photo courtesy of PlanetF1
More Than Just Paint
Livery design in Formula 1 is more than just aesthetics- it’s a crucial element of branding, sponsorship visibility, and team identity. While some teams take bold creative risks, others stick to tradition, ensuring brand consistency year after year. Ferrari’s new look, with the contrasting HP logo, has sparked debate, while Red Bull’s minor changes highlight the team’s commitment to its established image.
At the end of the day, I'm not a professional, I'm just a guy with a blog.
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