Ferrari SF-26 livery: a modern nod to Niki Lauda’s iconic cars. The Ferrari SF-26 has unveiled its new livery, featuring sparkling red and white tones that recall the iconic cars driven by Niki Lauda.

F1 | Ferrari, the new livery recalls Niki Lauda’s cars: here’s the resemblance

The new Ferrari SF-26 has finally revealed its striking livery, and the choice of colors has sparked comparisons with the legendary cars driven by Niki Lauda. Has the Scuderia Ferrari subtly paid tribute to the Austrian world champion? Fans are certainly noticing a strong resemblance.

After months of anticipation, Ferrari enthusiasts were finally able to lay their eyes on the SF-26’s new colors today. The car features a brilliant, gleaming red, complemented by white accents coordinated with the team’s sponsor HP. Together, the color scheme forms a combination that closely recalls the racing cars driven by Niki Lauda during his Ferrari career.

Officially, Ferrari has not stated that the new livery is a direct tribute to the former Austrian driver, but when looking at the color choices, the similarity is immediately apparent. It is this visual echo that has prompted fans and commentators alike to draw connections between the SF-26 and Lauda’s iconic Ferraris.

The Ferrari SF-26 recalls the 312 T but remains a modern car

This year’s livery is undoubtedly revolutionary, marking the end of Ferrari’s “matte era.” The chosen red shade is notably bright and glossy, finally giving the car the vibrant presence many fans expected. What stands out even more, however, is the white coloring on the airscope, a design element introduced last season following Ferrari’s ongoing partnership with HP, which now plays a central role in the car’s visual identity.

The color scheme strongly evokes the Ferrari 312 T, the 1975 championship-winning car driven by Niki Lauda and Clay Regazzoni, with which Lauda secured the Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship. In both cases, the upper portion of the car is predominantly white. Even the shade of red is highly reminiscent, although in the SF-26 it is more dominant overall, with white extending even near the Halo structure above the cockpit.

The car from the following year, the 312 T2, shows some minor visual similarities, although not as strong. While it would be a bold claim to state that Ferrari is making a direct tribute to Niki Lauda, there is no doubt that several design elements connect the two cars in the minds of fans and historians of the sport.

Could the SF-26 also recall the SF-16H?

Another plausible theory suggests that the new SF-26 livery may also intentionally recall the Ferrari SF-16H used in the 2016 Formula 1 season by Sebastian Vettel and Kimi Räikkönen. While 2016 was not among the most successful years for the modern Scuderia Ferrari, the color combination of red and white on the SF-26 strikingly resembles that of the SF-16H. The placement of sponsor logos and white accents mirrors the earlier car, suggesting that Ferrari may be drawing inspiration not only from the classic era but also from more recent designs in its modern history.

Ultimately, the SF-26 merges historical homage with contemporary styling, creating a livery that is both evocative of Ferrari’s legendary past and in tune with modern Formula 1 aesthetics. Whether the similarities to Niki Lauda’s 312 T are intentional or simply coincidental, the striking red-and-white color scheme ensures that the SF-26 stands out as one of the most visually compelling cars of the 2026 season.

For Ferrari fans, the new livery represents more than just a design choice: it is a reminder of the team’s heritage, the triumphs of legendary drivers, and a statement of intent for the future as Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton aim to bring the Prancing Horse back to the top of Formula 1.