F1 team livery and color schemes

[nacho]

Just a little off topic question, did Ferrari change their color after '96? I remember those prior Ferraris looking darker than the current?

[hollus]

I heard and read many times that they changed the shade of red to look better on TV. It is true that on screen, the new red looks redder than red. But maybe it also fits better certain other red color...

[andrew]

There have been many car designs and colour schemes over the years in F1. Some have been more memorable than others.

I thought I would set up this not particularly technical thread to find out what everyone considers to be the best and worst of both F1 car design and colour scheme.

[Rob W]

I heard and read many times that they changed the shade of red to look better on TV....

That's what they said for sure, and it would make sense also when you consider the colour of the Jaguar Racing Team which was nothing like British Racing Green in real life. They chose a more vibrant colour for TV reasons.

I also heard that the change was from their traditional Ferrari 'Rosso Comoetizione' colour to the Marlborough Red as part of their increasing sponsorship of the team. Perhaps there's a bit of truth in both versions of the story.

Interestingly red isn't even the official Ferrari colour, yellow is - the colour of Modena where the company was founded and still the background of the Ferrari badge.

[Herr_Koos]

I heard and read many times that they changed the shade of red to look better on TV....

That's what they said for sure..
Interestingly red isn't even the official Ferrari colour, yellow is - the colour of Modena where the company was founded and still the background of the Ferrari badge.

For sure! Yellow may be the colour of Ferrari, but "For sure" is their official slogan, for sure..

Anyhow nacho, you are 100% correct, I remember reading an article in early 1997 about Ferrari changing their livery to Marlboro red with lots of white after the end of McLaren's Marlboro deal and their increased sponsorship of Ferrari. The author thought old Enzo would be turning in his grave...

[Pandamasque]

Ferraris changed to a lighter shade of orange-ish red in late 90s to avoid looking too dark on most TV sets. By 2007 they realized it's not necessary anymore. They started the season with very bright signal red cars, then changed to darker red metallic shade in Monaco GP. I liked that colour rather a lot. In 2008 they changed to a colour similar to what they used in early 90s and stick to that still.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

http://www.assistpoint.co.uk/Images/Mot ... _Lotus.jpg


http://www.arrogance-forums.com/w/image ... lliams.jpg

Need I say anymore?

[andrew]

http://www.assistpoint.co.uk/Images/Mot ... _Lotus.jpg


http://www.arrogance-forums.com/w/image ... lliams.jpg

Need I say anymore?

You need to redo the second photo. The Williams is out of focus.

I quite liked the 1994 Simtek. Not a successful car but nice looking and quite a tidy design all the same.



And who can forget the mutli-coloured Larrouse?

[Tim.Wright]

One of my favourites,

Benetton B189



Tim

[Jersey Tom]

Every time I see one of the current Ferraris I just have this sudden urge.. to start chain smoking..

[jon-mullen]

My nomination for

Most Obnoxious to Try to Tell the Difference on an Old Digitized VHS:





Edit: and I know it's not just me, Hunt and Murray mix them up constantly too.

[Herr_Koos]

I have a soft spot for early 90's cars, probably since I was a such a young impressionable lad when I started watching F1..

My favourite liveries include:

- The red and white Marlboro McLaren era (especially the '93 MP4/8)
- The Camel Williams FW15 of '93
- Rothmans Williams FW16 of '94
- Mild Seven Benetton B194 (lovely blue/green livery, that)

I must add however, that the West McLaren livery blew me away the first time I saw it. Methinks the 1998 MP4/13 is one of the best-looking cars in F1 history.

[JohnsonsEvilTwin]

Her Koos

Alles goed boet? Weer is baie kak hier in engeland....

Definatly agree about the Mclaren cars in Marlboro and West guises respectively.

[Herr_Koos]

Her Koos

Alles goed boet? Weer is baie kak hier in engeland....

Definatly agree about the Mclaren cars in Marlboro and West guises respectively.

Groen en rein, dankie! No worries, we've had probably the wettest autumn in recent memory.

[Herr_Koos]

My nomination for

Most Obnoxious to Try to Tell the Difference on an Old Digitized VHS:

Edit: and I know it's not just me, Hunt and Murray mix them up constantly too.

1981 McLaren MP4/1 and Alfa Romeo 179, right? Gee whiz.. I can see why they would get mixed up!