Nine-time F1 champions mocked for ‘childish’ livery change at US Grand Prix

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Numerous Formula 1 teams are running one-off designs at the United States Grand Prix this weekend. One of the season’s most popular and commercially lucrative races, it’s an ideal opportunity to do so.

Championship leaders McLaren have revisited their chrome livery for the race in Austin. In between their now-customary papaya, there is a strip of metallic paint.

Zak Brown’s team last ran the colour scheme at the 2023 British GP, their home race. It’s an homage to the Vodafone years between 2006 and 2013, a period that saw Lewis Hamilton win his first world championship.

Meanwhile, Alpine have replaced the blue on their car with a striking orange. Alpine’s ‘Indiana Jones’ livery is part of the marketing efforts for a new video game.

It’s the second time since F1’s summer break that they’ve adopted a custom colour scheme. They sported a predominantly red and black design in Belgium inspired by Marvel blockbuster ‘Deadpool and Wolverine’, with actor Ryan Reynolds among their shareholders.

One team who won’t be making any such tweaks is Red Bull. Christian Horner scrapped a fan-made livery for the Singapore GP amid concerns it would slow the car down through added weight.

Williams told their special rear wing for the US Grand Prix is childish

Williams have only made a minor change to their car for Austin. In partnership with cryptocurrency firm Kraken, they have launched a rear wing ‘takeover’.

The team say 35,000 fans voted on the design, which will feature six ‘alter egos’ of fans. But racing driver Tom Coronel, who was speaking on the Racing News 365 podcast, wasn’t impressed.

Host Joris Mosterdijk said: “We have a very nice rear wing from Williams, who held a fan contest. There are some kind of animation figures of fans in COTA standing on the back.

Coronel then offered a one-word reaction: “Childish”

Coronel may believe that the design doesn’t befit the grandeur of the Williams team. The Grove outfit have won nine constructors’ championships and seven drivers’ titles during their 49-year history.

Franco Colapinto jokes Williams are ‘going to kill me’ over complaint

This an especially significant weekend for Williams for multiple reasons. They will no doubt mark Alex Albon’s 100th Grand Prix, but their focus will be on a decisive period in the midfield battle.

Thanks to recent upgrades, Williams still have an outside chance of wiping out the 15-point gap to Haas ahead. First and foremost, they need to hold off Alpine, just three points behind, for eighth.

With the next four races all taking place in the Americas, there will be increased engagement from Franco Colapinto’s Argentine fanbase. The 21-year-old has been a revelation since replacing Logan Sargeant at the end of August.

Colapinto has complained about the price of his merchandise, joking that Williams are ‘going to kill me’. The team’s gear may still be among the best-sellers in the next four races thanks to their fresh injection of support.