Japan GP: Red Bull to sport special white livery in honor of Honda

Dominika Jordan
Apr 1, 2025, 03:54 AM ET

In a heartfelt tribute to their engine partner, Red Bull will race with a bespoke white livery at this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix, marking a poignant farewell to Honda. This race at Suzuka signifies the final time a Honda-powered Red Bull will compete on Japanese soil, as the team and the engine supplier prepare to part ways at the conclusion of the season.

The exclusive livery draws inspiration from the iconic 1965 Honda RA272, which clinched the Japanese manufacturer's first Formula 1 victory six decades ago at the Mexican Grand Prix. Koji Watanabe, president of Honda Racing Corporation, expressed his sentiments: "It is quite moving to see the RA272 tribute livery on the latest Red Bull Racing machine, in the final year of Honda and Red Bull's partnership. Our successful path will continue to shine in the history of F1."

This special livery also coincides with Yuki Tsunoda's debut for the team. Red Bull management called upon the Japanese driver to replace Liam Lawson, following Lawson's underwhelming performances in the first two races of the season.

The team last donned a Honda-themed white livery at the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix, a design initially intended for the Japanese race that was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

"Our relationship with Honda deserves celebration. It has been one of continued success and brought the team one of the most triumphant and dominant periods in our history," noted Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. "Max has won four world titles with a Honda Power Unit, and the team has lifted two Constructors' titles. Additionally, Honda's reliability enabled us to complete the most successful season in the sport's history in 2023. This livery is a tribute to Honda's success in the sport and the final year of what has been a thoroughly enjoyable partnership. I am looking forward to seeing it out on track."

Red Bull will unveil the livery on Tuesday evening at a car meet in Tokyo, preceding a "showrun" event on the streets of the Japanese capital on Wednesday. Joining Tsunoda and Max Verstappen will be Racing Bulls drivers Liam Lawson and Isack Hadjar, driving a Honda RA272, the RB16B with which Verstappen secured his first title, and two RB7s that achieved double world championships.

Looking ahead, Honda will commence a new engine partnership with Aston Martin in Formula 1 next year, while Red Bull is set to develop its own power units in collaboration with Ford.