The start of any fresh season for a true Formula One fan begins at the first sight of their favourite cars and drivers, fully kitted out and raring to go. F1’s launch season is a little different this year with the impact of Covid19 but with the major regulations also moved to 2022, most fans were hoping for at least a bit of aesthetic pleasure and boy did some of the teams deliver on that drool-worthy count!
A total of 4 World Champions will take to the grid in 2021 including the returning Fernando Alonso who slots into a seat at newly named Alpine F1, essentially Renault F1, the team that took him to back-to-back titles in 2005 & 2006. The newly named squads have definitely delivered on the looks front too and will be hoping that their 2021 machines are as quick as they look when the cars hit the track for the first time in Bahrain. Here’s a look at our favourite F1 liveries of 2021…
ASTON MARTIN COGNIZANT F1 TEAM
It’s great to see the Aston Martin name back in F1 after a 61-year absence, especially with a World Champion in Sebastian Vettel at the wheel. We were hoping for the Aston Martin green to blow us away too and we are glad to say they most certainly did — What a stunner!!!
Possibly the most stunning car on the grid in 2021 in our opinion…
MERCEDES F1
Lewis Hamilton’s quest for an unprecedented eighth Formula 1 title looks in good shape based on what we’ve seen so far. As the saying goes in F1, “if it looks quick…it probably is” and the Mercedes certainly looks quick and then some!
Mercedes have retained the bold black base, emphasizing the team’s commitment to tackling racism and discrimination and the team’s association with AMG is also highlighted on the new W12, with more prominent AMG branding towards the rear, while the red star near the cockpit remains in a nice touch in memory of Niki Lauda.
RED BULL RACING
Same Same…But different. That seems to be the theme of the 2021 Red Bull Racing challenger!
Red Bull Racing (RBR) revealed the RB16B which was hidden to some extent from the media during the day of filming, prompting questions of whether they have something up their sleeve to take the fight to Lewis & Mercedes.
Red Bull have barely altered their livery over the years and that hasn’t changed but many suspect that Christian Horner and RBR have been working their magic towards the rear end of the car to launch a strong campaign in 2021.
ALPINE F1
Formerly operating as Renault F1, Alpine make their F1 debut in a really silky smooth blue, French-themed A521 challenger in 2021, at the hands of Fernando Alonso and Esteban Ocon.
Fernando won both his titles with an underlying blue theme and the rebranded outfit have ditched the yellow and black design for a really fresh look which was displayed in a stunning virtual launch for all fans across the globe. It’s one of our favourite liveries on the grid for this upcoming season and we just hope that the good work towards the end of last season has continued to give Alonso an opportunity to battle at the front end of the grid!
ALPHATAURI
AlphaTauri have flipped their white and blue livery of 2020 for a predominantly blue with white look in 2021 and we love it! The midfield squad powered by Honda have an exciting new driver line-up with young Japanese driver Yuki Tsunoda joining Pierre Gasly and have used some of their tokens for upgrades as well as 2020 Red Bull parts to make required changes to their car too.
Also, we LOVE the launch alongside their clothing line and really do hope they can challenge for podiums at some point in 2021…
WILLIAMS F1
Williams is a team that, over the years, has been impossible not to love and has had most fans hoping for a turnaround in fortunes for the British outfit. Under new ownership (the first time that the Williams family has stepped away), Williams stated they wanted to still acknowledge their “incredible past” but also “look to the future” with their 2021 car. The newly-launched FW43B has a dramatic new identity and is said to have taken inspiration from their all-conquering cars of the 1980s & 90s which saw the team win multiple titles. The combination of blues, white and the yellow accents make it striking and one can only hope that George Russell gets a car capable of fighting for some points in 2021.
[Image Credit: Formula 1]
Suhail Chandhok
Vertical Head - Sports