How the Formula 1 teams wrap their cars in (partly) different colors for the Las Vegas Grand Prix and what these special designs stand for
The Formula 1 return to Las Vegas is not only very popular with Formula 1 owner Liberty Media, but also with the racing teams involved. Some are sending their cars to the starting line for the race weekend in the famous gambling city with striking special designs
Red Bull, for example, has given the RB19 of Sergio Perez and Max Verstappen a completely new look: The lighter base color is new in Las Vegas, but the neon stripes on the chassis and wings are also new. Typical gambling motifs have also been incorporated into the design.
This completes Red Bull’s personal “triple” in the 2023 Formula 1 season: Under the motto “Make your mark”, the racing team has created three different color designs for the three USA races in Miami, in Austin and in Las Vegas. However, it only became a “total work of art” in Las Vegas; before that, only individual elements were changed.
At Williams, a very classic Las Vegas motif has found its way onto the FW45. More precisely: on the hood of the vehicle driven by Alexander Albon and Logan Sargeant. The image shows the sign “Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas” and also features Williams lettering in the style of a typical Las Vegas neon sign.
The two Alpine A523 cars driven by Pierre Gasly and Esteban Ocon, on the other hand, do not have Las Vegas-specific designs, but a special livery for the streetwear brand Palace. The drivers and pit crew will also receive new overalls to match
Ferrari’s special design in Las Vegas is reminiscent of the 1970s in Formula 1, when the racing series experienced a boom in the United States of America. And back then, the Ferrari cars raced with white rear wings, as can also be seen in 2023. Incidentally, the Ferrari sponsors have joined in: Their logos on the SF-23 are also white in Las Vegas.
Formula 1 had already raced in Las Vegas in 1981 and 1982, albeit on a “parking lot” circuit at Caesar’s Palace Hotel. In 2023, the track will run through the city center and across the famous “Strip”, which former Formula 1 boss Bernie Ecclestone would have liked to integrate into the circuit back in the 1980s. However, this did not happen at the time