A New Era of New Liveries: 2026 F1 Livery Ratings

A New Era of New Liveries: 2026 F1 Livery Ratings

This article will go in-depth into my view of the liveries and how well each team has done to create a beautiful grid of cars ahead of the 2026 season, whether that's the colour, design or aesthetic on track because I would have to say liveries do look different in launch in feeling compared to seeing them out on track. I will give a livery rating and an on-track livery rating and the average of both will result in the standings that I will reveal at the end of the article.

(Image Credit to Getty Images)

Red Bull

Red Bull truly transformed their livery’s perception with a change in livery style for the first time in years. The removal of matte paint and a return of the gloss makes the appeal on the eye so much greater. Furthermore, a slightly brighter shade of blue really gives off electric vibes of nostalgia with similarities to the 2011-2013 era of Red Bull when Sebastian Vettel was dominating the sport. Alongside this, the decision to add the white backing to the Red Bull sponsorship on the front wing and other areas give a feel of really rolling back the years. It’s an iconic decision from Red Bull and one that for sure has gone down well with the fans. The only downside you could argue is the rear wing sponsorship in terms of the appeal but it is still such an upgrade on previous years with it being the best Red Bull livery since 2019 but that surely is debatable among fans. On track viewing I would say that it still looks great but possibly is a small downgrade on the launch rating.

(Image Credit to F1)

(Image Credit to Crash.net)

Launch Rating - 9.5/10

On track Rating - 9/10

Ferrari

Ferrari have, for the most part, always had solid livery with the iconic scarlet red being a feature on most. Last year Ferrari moved to a darker shade of red but it was only a short hiatus as 2026 symbolises its return. The livery of Ferrari this year in 2026 is that of a scarlet red and white colour scheme that is very effective if done right like the 2016/2017 Ferrari. I would say that this year’s livery is solid but slightly too simplistic to be among the best Ferrari liveries of the past decade but it is still a good livery because white and red never miss. Although, to reach the best rating the white could have been distributed more throughout the livery in a more intriguing pattern or positioning - areas like the front and rear wing and sidepod. The red really is a standout and you can’t help but admire the beauty of it. Overall, a solid livery with a good base but could be developed upon but on track it still looks appealing and this definitely ups the rating.

(Image Credit to F1)

(Image Credit to Planet F1)

Launch Rating 6.75/10

On Track rating 8/10

Mercedes

Mercedes have maintained similarities with liveries of previous seasons with a twist in 2026. To reflect their Adidas partnership, they have decided to add white stripes on the engine cover which is definitely a conflicting addiction with some fans enjoying it and some disliking it. Personally, I dislike it because of its tackiness. It doesn’t reflect harmony which on a livery is key. Instead it just feels dragged and dropped there. It doesn’t help that these lines squeeze the Petronas sponsoring on the engine cover between a turquoise Petronas coloured line which looks claustrophobic. I think merc had potential with this livery that they didn't fully exploit although they didn’t do a bad job. From the front-on-view, the Mercedes looks amazing but its side profile is a disappointment. The colouring on the car is solid but again I feel like they have missed a trick and should have swapped the colours around to the opposing areas of the car as I feel this would have been a better livery. On track view looks decent to be fair bringing the overall rating upwards.

(Image Credits to Motorsport.tech)

(Image Credits to Mercedes AMG)

Launch Rating 7/10

On Track Rating 7.5/10

Audi F1

The first official livery for this new F1 manufacture and well this livery scheme definitely turned heads when it got revealed at launch. A chrome grey alongside a rear part of the car that housed an orange/black combo. I have to admit on initial launch it looks definitely unusual looking for sure with Audi going for a livery design that isn’t necessarily common. Compared to what was expected, this livery was definitely a slight disappointment. Although having seen limited running of the car on track, the livery definitely proves our doubts wrong to an extent. The orange block at the rear of the car is still a bit of an issue but the chrome looks legitimately amazing.

(Image Credits to Motorsport.com)

(Image Credits to Motorsport.com)

Launch Rating 6.5/10

On Track Rating 7.25/10

Racing Bulls

A livery of which had such a high bar to clear after last year’s beauty of a livery and have they matched that bar - that is a debatable question for sure. The car livery definitely has more going on with the addition of the extra dark blue at the rear of the car. The car does have the tendency to look uncanny though due to the car design. Do they mould into one bringing the best out of each other: I personally wouldn’t say so. It is a great livery but the car design nerfs its qualities. This is a liveries article though so I will be kinder to it regardless of this reason and due to the fact it holds so many similarities to last year’s piece of art, this car still is a great livery and of which should just just be a regular base for Racing Bulls in the season comes because it hits hard every time. It doesn’t reach the peak of last year’s livery but it overall runs it relatively close all things considered.

(Image Credits to Racingnews365)

(Image Credits to www.speed-live.it)

Launch Rating: 7/10

On Track Rating: 8.25/10

Alpine

The Alpine livery for 2026 is an interesting one following the same concept from last year with minor tweaks. Alpine have decided to make the front nose cone mostly pink. I feel as the largest change, I definitely don’t think it was the right decision because of the incredible livery that last season already was. They tried someone extra instead of being simple and in my opinion has cost us from a top tier livery although it is still decent for sure with the shiny gloss of the blue really ramping up its aesthetic qualities. I would say this livery again follows the trend of looking better on track but that can be expected.

(Image Credits to Sky Sports)

(Image Credits to Aol.com)

Launch Rating: 7/10

On Track Rating: 7.75/10

TGR Haas

Haas reflected their partnership with Toyota in their livery was the absolutely best thing to happen and this livery ultimately is absolutely a stunner using the Japanese flag colours portraying Toyota partnering with some haas flair. The design is extremely sleek and effective showing sometimes simplicity at its finest tops all. Considering Haas’ creation of many good liveries in recent years, they always set the boundaries high and they have yet again come with the goods. The colour positioning is immaculate for the most part. I initially thought the red background on the rear wing was a small let down but on track it actually works with the rest of the livery regardless whether I preferred it to be black.

(Image Credits to Sky Sports)

(Image Credits to Getty Images)

Launch Rating: 8.5/10

On Track Rating 8.75/10

Williams

Williams livery is interesting for sure but I definitely think it's an improvement from last year. I actually like the addition of the contrasting blue tones and the addition of the white as the background for a dark blue sponsor is just very smart from Williams. Then there’s the problem which is the racing numbers on the front wing. It is something that can be looked past in a livery and these ones for Williams are definitely far below par. It just looks odd with its dimension in comparison to the width of the front wing for me making it unappealing on the eye. Overall, Williams have done a solid job for sure and had the potential to be a great livery. On track it looks alright but nothing special.

(Image Credits to Autosport)

(Image Credits to Williams F1)

Launch Rating: 6.5/10

On Track Rating: 7/10

Mclaren

Mclaren’s livery is more or less similar to previous years which is quite disappointing but a small change at least is the papaya orange colour seems slighter brighter this year which is a positive and allows the car to shine and the colours to pop more. They have also changed the layout of the black part of their livery in a stripey formation down the engine cover. I have never been a fan of the new-gen Mclaren livery since 2022. Mclaren, if they brought some blue back onto the car, would take the car to the next level for sure. Whilst that isn’t the case, then it will unfortunately stay mediocre. On the plus side, this livery is better than their last 2 editions at least. Mclaren also released a testing livery in an all dark configuration which was a great livery and honestly looks better than the livery of this year.

(Image Credits to F1)

(Image Credits to Mclaren F1)

Launch Rating: 5/10

On Track Rating: 6/10

Aston Martin

With the new era of Honda kicking off for Aston Martin in this 2026 season there was hype as to if their livery would undergo any amazing changes like the addition of some white details. Unfortunately, Aston disappointed in this aspect and the hype cooled for their livery. Although, an Aston livery never looks bad and this is no exception and the addition of some lime coloured accents adds some flavour and character to their livery. The black was disappointing,plain and should have added the white in those areas. Overall, it is a solid livery but it misses the mark to reach the level of spectacular.

(Image Credits to The Race)

(Image Credits to Aston Martin F1 Team)

Launch rating: 6.5/10

On Track Rating: 7.75/10

Cadillac

Cadillac’s first year in the sport has been marked by a spectacular livery and a great introduction to their new team. This livery sees a livery design that has had no similar parallels since the BAR days in 1999. Cadillac’s livery features black and white throughout with some really incredible looking gradients throughout the livery giving it a clean,sleek look. Half the car is more white than black and vice versa on the other side of the car. A unique livery for sure that will definitely be talked about in years to come. As a launch car, it was incredible visually although I don’t think it looks as good on track, it is still really strong nonetheless due the livery’s simplicity and balance of colour.

(Image Credits to Racingnews365)

-(Image Credits to Paddock GP)

Launch Rating: 8.75/10

On Track Rating: 8.25/10

Livery Standings after Launch

Red Bull - 9.5/10

Cadillac - 8.75/10

Haas - 8.5/10

Racing Bulls - 7/10

Mercedes - 7/10

Alpine - 7/10

Ferrari - 6.75/10

Aston Martin - 6.5/10

Williams - 6.5/10

Audi - 6.5/10

Mclaren - 5/10

Livery Standings On Track

Red Bull - 9/10

Haas - 8.75/10

Cadillac - 8.25/10

Racing Bulls - 8.25/10

Ferrari - 8/10

Aston Martin - 7.75/10

Alpine - 7.75/10

Mercedes - 7.5/10

Audi - 7.25/10

WIlliams - 7/10

Mclaren - 6/10

Overall Livery Rating

Red Bull - 18.5/20

Haas - 17.25/20

Cadillac - 17/20

Racing Bulls - 15.25/20

Ferrari - 14.75/20

Alpine - 14.75/20

Mercedes - 14.5/20

Aston Martin - 14.25/20

Audi 13.75/20

Williams - 13.5/20

Mclaren - 11/20

Overall, it is clear to see this is one of the most beautiful look grids in years with not necessarily any absolute poor looking cars which is a great treat for us fans to look forward to this season. Red Bull has clearly been the standout livery with the nostalgic feel their livery gives off whilst Haas runs them close in second place. The top 3 liveries are the clear favourites but then the midpack is quite interchangeable between 4th and 8th before you have a couple liveries which don’t quite reach that level but are still solid nonetheless.

What do you think of my ratings and what’s yours?

Article Written by Taegan Hignett