F1 cars aren't just insanely fast tech marvels - they're also rolling works of art. Those eye-catching paint jobs (aka "liveries") aren't just for show - they're a huge part of a team's identity, showcasing their sponsors, history, and overall vibe. Let's dive into the world of F1 liveries, checking out the rules they have to follow, how they're designed, and how teams actually get them onto the cars. We'll look at some recent examples and see how these designs have evolved over the years, comparing them to some of the most legendary looks in F1 history.
With the 2025 very nearly upon us, here are the latest liveries for each F1 team on the grid.
Image: 2025 Liveries
The Rules: Keeping Things Fair and Making Sure You Know Who's Who
While teams can get pretty creative with their liveries, there are still some rules to follow. The FIA has regulations to keep things fair, make sure you can tell who's who, and keep everything safe.
One big rule is that both cars from the same team need to have "pretty much the same livery" at each race. This stops teams from trying to confuse their rivals with different looks or messing with airflow. It also means fans, commentators, and officials can easily spot who's who on track.
This "pretty much the same" rule was put to the test back in 1999 when British American Racing (which later became Mercedes) tried to run two completely different liveries - one blue car and one white car - to promote different tobacco brands. The FIA shut that down real quick, and the team had to compromise with a weird zipper design down the middle of the car, blue on one side and red on the other.
Some other important rules include:
- The driver's name has to be clearly visible on the car
- The team's name or logo needs to be on the front
- Each car must show the driver's race number (visible from the front and on their helmet)
- The onboard cameras have different color requirements to help tell the cars apart
The rules also cover what changes teams can make during "parc fermé" - that's the period starting from Qualifying when teams are super limited in what they can change on the car. This keeps things fair and stops teams from getting sneaky advantages between sessions.
In a cool twist, the rules are more flexible for historical events, where cars can rock their original liveries from back in the day, even if they look nothing like the current team colors.
All these regulations create a framework for teams to show off their creativity while still keeping things fair and recognisable.
Designing the Look: Where Art Meets Science
Coming up with an F1 livery isn't just slapping some paint on a car - it's a complex process blending artistic vision, technical know-how, and commercial needs. The creative team works months ahead, often designing next year's look while this season is still going.
The Concept
It all starts with brainstorming different ideas, drawing inspiration from the team's history, current design trends, and what their sponsors need. Once they have a concept, designers use software like Photoshop or GIMP to bring it to life, working with templates that give them the basic car shape to start with.
Fitting in the Sponsors
One of the trickiest parts is working in all those sponsor logos. Every inch of the car has a sponsorship value, and designers need to make sure each logo gets the right amount of visibility. This means working closely with the commercial team to make sure everyone's happy with where their logo ends up.
Aerodynamics Matter
The livery also needs to work with the car's aerodynamics. Even tiny disruptions in the paint can affect airflow, so designers team up with aerodynamicists to make sure the design doesn't slow the car down.
Livery Reveals vs. Full Car Launches
Interestingly, not every "car launch" actually shows the real car. Sometimes teams just reveal the livery on a show car or last year's chassis. This could be because:
- The new car isn't fully built yet
- They want to keep some design secrets hidden a bit longer
- They can get extra media buzz by doing separate reveals
Ferrari, for example, did a multi-part launch for their 2025 car - first showing off the livery at their F1 75 Live event, then later unveiling the actual car with all its technical details.
Getting It On The Car: The Devil's in the Details
Once the design is locked in, it's time to apply it to the car. This isn't just a quick paint job - it's a super detailed process requiring precision and specialized techniques. F1 cars are typically painted rather than wrapped to optimize aerodynamics, keep weight down, and ensure durability.
The painting process goes something like this:
- Prep work: The surface gets meticulously prepared for a smooth finish
- Base coat: A primer creates the foundation for the paint
- Color layers: Multiple coats are applied to get the perfect shade
- Clear coat: A final protective layer adds gloss or matte finish
Teams often use nanoparticles in the paint to enhance the finish while keeping it lightweight. They also use techniques like "flashing off" (drying paint under infrared lights) to speed up the process, cutting drying time from six hours to just one.
Image: Mercedes F1 Paint shop
The Matte Trend
Recently, there's been a shift toward matte finishes in F1. This trend has a few advantages:
- Slightly lighter than glossy paint
- Looks more modern and aggressive
- Less glare for TV cameras and photographers
The Naked Truth
Not every part of an F1 car gets painted. Teams often leave certain areas (like under the sidepods or the floor) bare to avoid disrupting airflow. Even a thin layer of paint can create tiny bumps that affect aerodynamics.
When carbon fiber is left exposed, teams carefully consider the direction and pattern of the weave to keep everything looking consistent.
Vinyl Options
While paint is generally preferred, teams sometimes use vinyl wraps for specific elements or one-off special liveries. McLaren has gone with vinyl for some of their designs, and Alpine used it for their Deadpool vs Wolverine livery at the 2024 Belgian Grand Prix.
Vinyl makes it easier to do quick changes or complex designs, but it's not as durable or aerodynamically efficient as paint.
Future Rules
There's talk that future regulations might require a minimum percentage of the car to be painted. This could be for several reasons:
- Making the cars look better
- Giving sponsors more visible space
- Improving safety by making cars more visible on track
One thing is for sure, the cars invariably look stunning and their cutting edge paint jobs match the cutting edge technology built into these technological tour de force's!
You can find a number of painter jobs in our manufacturing section here and Marketing jobs here
