Formula 1 goes Texas: Five teams unveil show-stopping special liveries for the US Grand Prix

Toby Coxon

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Formula 1 goes Texas: Five teams unveil show-stopping special liveries for the US Grand Prix image

The Formula 1 paddock has arrived at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA) in Austin, Texas, and the grid has never looked more vibrant.

A record number of teams, five of the ten competitors, have swapped their standard colours for unique, one-off liveries for the United States Grand Prix, turning their cars into rolling billboards that celebrate key partnerships, American culture, and motorsport history.

This surge of creativity highlights the growing importance of the US market, with teams embracing the opportunity to engage fans through bold, bespoke designs.

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Here is a look at the five teams that have revealed special paint schemes for the Austin race weekend:

Williams Racing: A throwback to 2002

Williams embraced nostalgia, unveiling a striking blue and white retro livery inspired by the classic FW24 car from the 2002 season.

The one-off design marks the year that Williams’ title partner, the Australian software company Atlassian, was founded.

The livery was launched with former Williams driver Juan Pablo Montoya, who helped put the original FW24 on the front row of the grid 23 years ago, alongside the current Williams driver, Carlos Sainz.

The 2002 aesthetic is a symbolic nod to the team's long history and the shared values of teamwork and persistence.

McLaren: Google’s iridescent Gemini effect

Reigning Constructors' Champions McLaren have debuted a futuristic livery enhancement in collaboration with technology partner Google.

The design, inspired by the sparkle and colour palette of Google's new AI model, Gemini, features an iridescent finish across the engine cover and side pods.

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Drivers Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri will carry the livery, which aims to channel the feeling of being "In the Zone."

Uniquely, this design is a double-header, set to feature not only in Austin but also at the subsequent Mexican Grand Prix.

MoneyGram Haas F1 Team: Stars and stripes for the home race

As the sole American team on the grid, Haas is paying tribute to its roots with a special livery for its home race.

The design is a bold patriotic statement featuring a black base adorned with prominent red stars, creating a clear "Stars and Stripes" aesthetic.

The team, whose launch video was set to Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A., is making a clear statement about its national identity as F1 continues to boom across the country.

This marks the third time this season the team has run a special design, following previous efforts in Japan and Canada.

Visa Cash App Racing Bulls: A pearlescent tortoise

Racing Bulls unveiled a striking new pearlescent black and amber livery in collaboration with its title partner, Cash App.

The design features a unique, intricate tortoise pattern inspired by the aesthetics of the company’s new "Tortoise Card."

The livery fuses the world of high-speed motorsport with elements of music and fashion, a blend that is increasingly central to F1’s presence in the US.

Peter Bayer, CEO of Racing Bulls, noted that these special designs have become an identity moment where creativity meets the track.

Aston Martin Aramco F1 Team: The invisible science

Aston Martin debuted its first-ever bespoke livery, trading some of its signature racing green for a science-inspired theme.

The design features a series of intricate F1-related formulas and equations, aiming to make the "invisible science" of a Formula 1 car visible.

The look, which highlights the team's partnership with title sponsor Aramco, was unveiled by two-time World Champion Fernando Alonso and junior driver Jak Crawford at Aramco’s US headquarters in Houston.

Andy Cowell, Aston Martin’s Team Principal, stated that the design highlights innovation and the engineers who bring the car to life.

In a colourful start to the weekend, these five unique liveries will guarantee that the Circuit of the Americas provides one of the most visually stunning grids of the season.

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Toby Coxon

Toby joined The Sporting News in 2025 after completing a degree in Multimedia Sports Journalism. He has previous experience writing for online and print publications including VAVEL, Breaking Media and The Non-League Paper. He also has experience working within football clubs in previous roles at Curzon Ashton FC and Bradford City AFC.