Formula 1 teams love a special livery and we are set to see a couple on the grid at the Japanese Grand Prix.
The race at Suzuka is the home Grand Prix for Red Bull engine supplier and sponsor Toyota, while Haas will also commemorate the race as part of their tie-up with Toyota.
Red Bull is rumoured to be running a livery that harks back to their 2021 ‘White Red Bull’ which was due to run at the Japanese GP that season before it was cancelled due to COVID-19.
Instead, they ran it later in the season at the Turkish Grand Prix as a way to pay tribute to the success they had with Honda as their power unit supplier.
A similar livery will be run by the team at this year’s Japanese GP, but fans on social media think Red Bull has already been outdone by they livery Haas will use during the race weekend.
F1 fans think Red Bull has been outdone on Haas with special Japanese GP livery
Haas have unveiled a livery ahead of this weekend’s race, which features cherry blossoms on the side pods and front wing areas where there is usually white space.
It is the first time Haas have ran a one-off livery outside of their usual US GP special, which commemorates their home race as a constructor.
Fans have reacted to the livery with universal acclaim, with one fan writing on Instgram: “Now that’s how you do a livery, all-time banger for sure!”
Other fans have compared it to Red Bull’s with one writing: “I think we are looking something better than white Red Bull and Gulf McLaren.”
Another fan wrote: “Meanwhile Red Bull edging us for days and it’s still gonna look like last year’s Red and White”
Some think that Haas have stolen the limelight from Red Bull: “We were waiting for white redbull but this one is looking amazing,” with another writing: “All this hype and these teases over the white Red Bull livery just for Haas to steal the show on Monday morning.”
One fan simply wrote: “Haas 1 – 0 Red Bull,” while another praised Haas for their ingenuity: “That is honestly one of my favourite liveries of all time. Serious props to the design team.”
Another fan pointed out the rivalry between the two Japanese brands: “Toyota vs Honda battle being played out by proxy in F1 by Haas and Red Bull special Japan liveries. Love to see it.”
- READ MORE: All to know about Haas F1 Team from team principal to Ferrari and Toyota ties
Why is Haas using a special livery for the Japanese Grand Prix?
Aside from the fact that special liveries are an effective way to draw attention to a team, Haas have good reason to be using a one-off paint scheme.
Not only is their team principal Ayao Komatsu Japanese, but one of their main sponsors Toyota is also a major car brand from the country.
Haas signed the deal with Toyota last season and will be sharing resources with them, as the car-maker gets itself involved with F1 again following its ill-fated attempt in the early 00s.
The flowers mark the start of the cherry blossom ‘sakura’ season in Japan, as spring transitions into summer. The spring flower motif will feature on their VF-25 and their social media throughout the weekend.
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