Top 10 special F1 liveries in 2023
Formula 1 had over a dozen one-off liveries in 2023.
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Charles Leclerc and Max Verstappen at Las Vegas GP (Via IMAGO)
Formula 1 cars are known for their iconic liveries. The McLaren‘s Marlboro colors or classic Ferrari red have remained in the minds of fans for decades. Even today, Red Bull is considered to have a modern classic with its matte livery in recent years. However, there are times when teams try to mix things up with one-off specials.
It was quite rare to have a team use a special livery in F1 up until a few years ago. Many one-off designs were even restricted to pre-season testing such as Red Bull’s 2015 camouflage livery. However, things started to change in recent years. Teams realized that it could create hype around themselves with such a design.
Subsequently, more teams started to use special liveries, such as Ferrari’s SF1000 design for its 1000th race at the 2020 Tuscan GP. So much so that in 2023 over a dozen one-off designs were used on the F1 grid, each of which attracted attention from the entire paddock. This article delves into the Top 10 special liveries in 2023.
Here are the Top 10 special F1 liveries in 2023
10. Scuderia Ferrari Le Mans – Italian GP
Ferrari might have had an underwhelming F1 campaign in 2023 with just a single race victory. However, the Prancing Horse was a force to be reckoned with in the World Endurance Championship with a triumph at the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans. Maranello paid tribute to its Le Mans victory at its home race at Monza this season.
The SF23 had subtle additions of yellow on the engine cover and nose similar to the Ferrari Hypercar livery. Additionally, the driver numbers were also made yellow. Certainly, the livery was appreciated by fans despite the minimalistic approach.
9. AlphaTauri – Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi GPs
AlphaTauri’s white and blue livery has been loved by fans in recent years. The Faenza-based team decided to make some changes for the inaugural Las Vegas GP albeit with the same color scheme. The AT-04 had white stripes on the side pod and engine cover that seemed to mimic airflow on the car. This unique design was liked by fans. Subsequently, the Red Bull sister team opted to keep this special livery for the season finale in Abu Dhabi.
8. McLaren Stealth – Singapore and Japanese GPs
McLaren has made it a tradition to use special liveries in F1. The Woking-based team has used multiple one-off designs in recent years. The British team had another design under wraps for the Singapore GP as well as the Japanese GP. The ‘Stealth’ livery sees the MCL60 in a predominant black paint scheme with some orange especially on the front end.
This design seemed to be ideal for the night race in the streets of Singapore as it highlighted the orange perfectly. Fans have always appreciated black liveries and this was no different.
7. Alfa Romeo – Las Vegas and Abu Dhabi GPs
The Las Vegas GP saw several one-off designs with Alfa Romeo opting for a radical new look. The inaugural race in Sin City was crucial for the team’s partner Stake, an online gambling platform. As such, the Sauber-run team made a special livery that fit the casino vibe of Vegas in a dark color scheme.
Unfortunately, it was difficult for fans to truly appreciate the design in the night race. It would be interesting to see Sauber’s new livery for 2024 with more prominence to title sponsor Stake.
6. McLaren Chrome – British GP
McLaren’s stunning Vodafone chrome liveries remain iconic in Formula 1. The British team hinted that it would bring back the chrome for its home race at Silverstone this year. The Woking-based team partnered with Google Chrome this time around. This special design brought in major additions of chrome on the MCL60 while retaining the papaya orange.
Although some fans wanted to see more chrome on the car, the livery was a success on and off-track. Lando Norris bagged a crucial podium for the Woking-based team with this design at the British GP.
5. Red Bull – Las Vegas GP
Red Bull had three special liveries in 2023, one each for every race in the United States. All designs were picked by fans. However, the Las Vegas GP livery stood out as the best-looking of the lot. The Austrian team brought back purple in its color scheme, perhaps a nod to its Infiniti liveries from Sebastian Vettel‘s dominant years.
Moreover, the neon-esque stripes across the car suited the vibe of Sin City. This design was the most thorough Red Bull special of 2023 with the colors going even onto the nose of the car. Certainly, fans were thrilled to see Max Verstappen take victory behind the wheel of this stunning design.
4. Williams Gulf – Singapore, Japanese, and Qatar GPs
Gulf is one of the most iconic brands in the world of motorsport. The Gulf colors are adored by racing fans across the globe. Subsequently Williams decided to follow in the footsteps of McLaren and run its own version of a Gulf livery in 2023. Previously, McLaren had raced at the 2021 Monaco GP in the colors of the oil giant.
Williams gave fans four options to choose from for this iconic run. The ‘Bigger and Bolder’ design won the fan vote. Subsequently, the Williams FW45 was painted in a modern version of the Gulf design. Although, this design received mixed reactions from fans, it was a fresh take on the grid.
3. Ferrari – Las Vegas GP
It is rare for Ferrari to change its color scheme for a particular Grand Prix. However, the importance of the inaugural Las Vegas GP led Maranello to make major changes to its livery. The SF23 shifted from a red-and-black scheme to a red-and-white design. Moreover, even sponsor logos were changed by the Scuderia to suit the look, perhaps for the first time in recent years.
Certainly, fans adored this new design. The SF23 looked incredible on the streets of Las Vegas. As Charles Leclerc battled it out with Max Verstappen. The inaugural Vegas race was full of action with the special designs only making the show better for the audience.
2. Alfa Romeo Tribute – Italian GP
Alfa Romeo rejoined Formula 1 as the title sponsor of the Sauber F1 team in 2018. Over the years, the Swiss team ran some of the best-looking liveries on the grid courtesy of this partnership. However, Alfa Romeo would leave Sauber at the end of 2023. Subsequently, the team created a special design to pay tribute to its partner at the Italian GP.
The Alfa Romeo C43 was perhaps the most beautiful car on the grid in 2023. This design took it one step further. The red portions of the car were replaced by the Italian tricolor. Additionally, the driver numbers and the Alfa Romeo branding were done in gold lettering alongside gold wheel covers. Certainly, this special livery was the best way to pay homage to such a successful partnership.
1. McLaren Triple Crown – Monaco and Spanish GPs
McLaren is one of the most successful names in the world of motorsport. The Woking-based outfit is the only team to have won motorsport’s Triple Crown. This comprises the Monaco GP, the Indy500, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. The British team decided to celebrate its 60th anniversary this year by paying homage to its Triple Crown victory.
The one-off design was inspired by three different liveries. The front of the MCL60 was kept black from its 1992 Le Mans victory. Moreover, the center portion of the car was white which was inspired by Alain Prost‘s MP4/2 which won the 1984 Monaco GP. Lastly, the rear end of the design was in the team’s classic papaya orange from its first Indy500 win in 1972.
This made for a rather unique three-part look. However, the heritage of this design made it a fan favorite. As such, the McLaren Triple Crown livery tops the list of the Top 10 special F1 liveries in 2023.
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Armaan Agarwal
(2310 Articles Published)