With the Barcelona Shakedown underway, several teams have taken their 2026 cars on track for the first time, some sporting a special livery designed exclusively for the occasion. But what does this mean, and why do teams use these unique presentations?

Identity and strategy on track

A livery is more than just a color scheme; it represents a team’s identity, showcases sponsors, and can celebrate special moments or milestones during the season. During testing, some teams use camouflage to protect aerodynamic innovations and delay revealing details to rivals.

Teams running special designs in Barcelona

Cadillac was among the first to confirm its one-off livery, a monochrome concept with geometric patterns in matte and gloss, ahead of unveiling the official design on February 8. McLaren follows a similar approach, with its launch scheduled for February 9.

Red Bull and Racing Bulls were the first to showcase their colors at a joint event in Detroit on January 15, while Haas, Audi, Mercedes, Alpine, and Ferrari have all revealed their season designs.

Beyond the Shakedown

These special liveries are not limited to testing; during the season, they are also used to highlight events, celebrate milestones, or pay tribute to iconic circuits, as seen in Monaco or Las Vegas, where the designs become unique and memorable.

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