Ferrari’s 2025 F1 car branding faces criticism from design experts
If you ask anyone to name a Formula 1 team, Ferrari is often the first answer from casual fans who don’t follow the sport closely. As the only team to have competed in every season of Formula 1, the Scuderia will continue its remarkable 76-year streak in 2026.
The signing of Lewis Hamilton brought the sport’s most successful driver to F1’s most successful team, but the partnership did not get off to an ideal start. While Hamilton generated millions in marketing and sponsorship opportunities for Ferrari, his on-track results did not match the expectations of many tifosi.
In 2025, Hamilton finished 86 points behind teammate Charles Leclerc, prompting questions over the long-term future of both drivers with the team. Ferrari’s performance issues extended beyond the racetrack; the design of their 2025 car was also criticized by branding experts.
HP sponsorship on Ferrari car described as ‘not good’ compared to McLaren and rivals
Antoine Le Nel, Chief Marketing Officer of Revolut, spoke about brand partnerships in Formula 1 during the Business of Sport Podcast, comparing Ferrari’s approach with that of Audi, McLaren, and Aston Martin. Le Nel explained that while Audi’s brand is premium yet accessible, Ferrari remains extremely high-end and less relatable to a wider audience.
He criticized the visual impact of Ferrari’s 2025 livery, saying that the addition of blue, particularly on Hamilton and Charles Leclerc’s cars due to the HP sponsorship, looked completely out of place against the team’s iconic red. Le Nel contrasted this with McLaren and Mastercard’s branding, which he considered visually effective and cohesive.
Fans wanted Niki Lauda tribute over livery changes
Ferrari have experimented with blue in the past, but for negative reasons. In 1964, a dispute between Enzo Ferrari and Italy’s motorsport authority led the team to temporarily switch from red to a blue-and-white livery. The change was short-lived, and the deep red that defines Ferrari returned.
Last year, the blue sections added to Ferrari’s car after the HP sponsorship, including both front and rear wings, were criticized by fans and experts alike. Many Formula 1 fans had preferred that the team maintain the Niki Lauda tribute introduced at the Italian Grand Prix throughout the rest of the season instead of altering the car’s iconic color scheme.
Preparing for the 2026 livery launches
As all Formula 1 teams prepare to reveal their 2026 liveries, the events will primarily serve as fan engagement opportunities rather than technical disclosures. Manufacturers will focus on creating appealing designs to capture the imagination of supporters while keeping the details of new regulation changes under wraps.
Ferrari’s challenge will be to balance fan expectations, heritage, and sponsor requirements when launching their 2026 car, avoiding the visual controversies that marked last season’s campaign.
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