F1 News: Ferrari Pays Tribute To Its American F1 History Through a Special Las Vegas Livery

The White and Red colors are reminiscent of previous cars that have strong links to the United States.

Scuderia Ferrari has unveiled a new look for its SF-23 F1 car, paying tribute to its American Formula 1 history. 

Key Takeaways

• Scuderia Ferrari has introduced a new livery for its SF-23 F1 car, celebrating its American F1 history, to be showcased at the Las Vegas Grand Prix. This design is inspired by U.S.-related F1 cars of the past, featuring a white rear wing, number board, and engine cover accents.
• The livery change, which also extends to the racing suits of Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, required approval from all sponsor partners. It reflects Ferrari's 1970s heritage, particularly the red-and-white theme of the Ferrari 312B driven by Mario Andretti.
• Ferrari's history shows fluctuating use of white in its car designs, with significant periods in the 1970s and brief returns in 1993 and 2016. However, challenging seasons often led to a reversion to the all-red theme. The impact of the white resurgence on the SF-23's performance in the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix is anticipated with interest.

This special one-time livery, to be featured in the upcoming Las Vegas Grand Prix, draws inspiration from previous U.S.-associated F1 cars. It includes a white rear wing, a white circular number board, and accents on the engine cover.

To implement a change in the livery, Scuderia Ferrari required the approval of all its sponsor partners. These alterations will be visible not only on the car but also on the racing overalls of drivers Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari experienced several iconic moments in the United States, particularly during its successful period in the 1970s. Reflecting this heritage, the new red-and-white theme mirrors that of the Ferrari 312B, the car Mario Andretti drove in 1971, achieving his first Formula 1 victory at the South African Grand Prix later that year.

Throughout the 1970s, the Maranello outfit never hesitated to use a lot of white on its cars. Recall its championship-winning campaigns with Niki Lauda in 1975 and 1977 and you'll know for sure. Not only the wings, but the white also extended to the engine cover, which was often paired with green and red from the Italian National Flag.

However, the trend faded after 1978, only to return briefly in 1993. But, a tough campaign in the dicey F93A with Gerhard Berger and Jean Alesi prompted Ferrari to revert to its all-red theme in 1994. 

The white was reintroduced in 2016 on the SF-16H but, another tough season with Kimi Raikkonen and Sebastian Vettel that got the team third in the Constructors' Championship pushed Ferrari to delete the white again. 

With Formula 1 gearing up big time toward the Las Vegas Grand Prix, it remains to be seen if the resurgence of white on the SF-23 would bring them any luck or would Ferrari have to face tough challenges as witnessed in the not-so-distant past.