Why does Red Bull have the same F1 car livery each year?
Here is why Red Bull has the same car livery each and every single year.
2023 Red Bull RB 19
Red Bull Racing had a massive launch event in Manhattan to take the covers off the RB19 which would be their challenger for the upcoming 2023 F1 season. Along with the media, there were a lot of influencers present at the event. Some of the athletes backed by the energy drinks giant were also present in order to say a few words. However, what was in store for the fans tuning in was rather surprising but expected at the same time.
With almost 2 months of a break from the pinnacle of motorsport, F1 fans all around the world get pretty excited as the teams reveal their cars for the first time ahead of the season. There is a lot of debate on whether the teams changes the livery or keeps the same one. While there are some teams that make a lot of changes to their car with respect to the livery, there are some teams which decide to keep the same livery for another season too.
The team had been teasing a blank canvas ahead of their 2023 car launch which gave the fans an impression that the livery would be changed. This was technically true but it wasn’t what anyone had in their minds. The team finally revealed the covers off the RB19 and a lot of striking similarities were found. For example, the livery was exactly the same except for a few sponsor sticker changes here and there.
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A look into why Red Bull Racing doesn’t want to change their car’s livery
For yet another year, fans on social media were enraged about this repeated occurrence. They questioned why Red Bull had basically the same livery each an every year. While there are many concerned, there are a few reasons as to why the car looks exactly the same each and every year. While some do not agree with the method, there are others who understand the reasoning behind keeping the same colours every season.
The Red Bull brand logo clearly stands out on the car
After taking a look at the current livery and those of the past, it is noticeable that the Red Bull Brand logo is very prominent and stands out on the car. The dark blue colour palette that the team uses has a great marketing impact on the overall design of the livery. With the Red Bull logo having colours like Red and Yellow, the team has made a smart decision to make have the whole car painted dark blue.
The dark colour doesn’t mix up with the bright colours that constitute the Red Bull brand logo. That is a smart and sleek move that garners all attention to the energy drink manufacturer’s logo. With Red Bull being a marketing giant, it is clear that the structure behind the car livery was intended. Apart from that, other sponsor logos are also prominently visible on the car which increases the marketing value of the team.
Red Bull’s livery has become iconic in the past few years
Red Bull came into the sport as a brand that seemed like their only play was to race and party afterwards. However, competitors were wrong about that. The team was serious about their championship and managed to challenge big names such as Ferrari and Mercedes in order to get the top step in the pinnacle of motorsport. When you have the same livery each year, the fans tend to associate the success of the team with that livery.
McLaren had the same livery for almost 2 decades in the last century and this was during a time when Ayrton Senna showed immense displays of dominance. Now whenever people take a look at the Marlboro McLaren, they associate it with Senna and the success that the team achieved. Same philosophy seems to have been used by Red Bull who have created an iconic but at the same time, nostalgic livery.
Why change something that is already perfect?
Having the perfect blend of beauty and logo placement, the Red Bull livery is often ranked to be one of the best liveries of all time. With that being said, it would be a bit of a foolish decision to change something that is already so perfect. Many teams change their car liveries each year in order to cater to the fans and have a lasting impact on the car’s history. It’s something that Red Bull doesn’t have to do at all.
They have already achieved what many teams are still yet to achieve and that is the perfect balance in all aspects. Even Max Verstappen stated that the livery is iconic and that there is no need to change it. Ferrari also has the same blend of colours each and every year. It is what defines the team and the same can be said for the Milton Keynes based outfit.
While all this is said and done, Red Bull had a special announcement to make during the launch. For the three US races on the F1 grid this year, fans will be getting a once in a lifetime chance to design the team’s livery. There will be a panel of judges who will choose amongst the applicants and the winner’s design will be used by the team for the race weekend.
Varad Joshi
(940 Articles Published)