Less red, more blue? Williams set for new livery when F1 season restarts

May 29, 2020 12:12pm UTC

George Russell (GBR) Williams Racing FW43.
Formula One Testing, Day 3, Friday 28th February 2020.

When Formula 1 2020 gets back under way and the Williams FW43 rolls out of the garage it'll be sporting a shiny new livery, following the team's decision to terminate their sponsorship deal with Rokit and Rokit Drinks.

On Friday morning, Williams revealed their 2019 financial results, including the news they would be ending their relationship with the Rokit brands – which was set to run until the end of 2023 – prematurely.

The livery was overhauled for this current campaign, after Rokit had increased their commitment to the team, with red more prevalent alongside the existing blue and white.

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 16: Robert Kubica of Poland driving the (88) Rokit Williams Racing — The 2019 Williams FW42 had prominent Rokit branding, but not as much red as the 2020 livery

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 09: Sergey Sirotkin of Russia driving the (35) Williams Martini Racing — Martini were a major Williams sponsor from 2014-2018. The 2018 Williams F1 car is pictured above, with the inimitable Martini stripes

SAO PAULO, BRAZIL - NOVEMBER 23: Pastor Maldonado of Venezuela and Williams drives during the — 2013 marked the final year of navy blue and white on Williams' cars as the team had a new title sponsor on board

8 Oct 2000: Jenson Button of Great Britain and Williams-BMW in action during the Japanese Formula — In 2000, Williams switched to blue and white from a more garish scheme the year before, with BMW engines behind the driver

11 Apr 1999: Ralf Schumacher of the Williams-Supertec team in action during the 1999 Brazilian — In 1998 and 1999, Williams ran this unorthodox colour scheme...

Jacques Villeneuve, Williams-Renault FW19, Grand Prix of Austria, A1-Ring Spielberg, 21 September — Williams' last championships came in 1997 when they ran this now-iconic scheme

Nigel Mansell of Great Britain drives the #5 Canon Williams Renault Williams FW14 Renault during — Yellow, blue and white were the colours used in Williams' halcyon days...

Nigel Mansell, Williams-Honda FW11B, Grand Prix of Austria, Osterreichring, 16 August 1987. (Photo — Four of the team's nine championships were won in the 1980s. Between 1985 and 1993, Williams ran this colour scheme with Canon as their sponsor

Alan Jones, Williams-Ford FW07B, Grand Prix of Great Britain, Brands Hatch, 13 July 1980. (Photo by — But sponsors Saudia and Leyland backed the team's first breakthrough, with green and white on the car from 1977-1984 as they won the 1980 and '81 constructors' titles

When asked by Formula1.com if the livery would change as a result, Williams said: “Obviously the livery is something that we've got to look at and when we go racing again, hopefully in July.

“F1 have put a marker in the sand for July 6, we will unveil our new livery before we hit the racetrack.”

While the final livery hasn’t been signed off, it’s believed two colours synonymous with Williams will be prevalent…

ANALYSIS: What lies ahead for Williams after shock financial news?

Next Up