Red Bull reveals special edition white livery to mark Honda tribute at Japanese GP

Red Bull Racing has pulled the covers off a stunning white livery for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, paying homage to its long-time engine partner, Honda. With this being Honda’s final home race with Red Bull before the team transitions to Ford power units in 2026, the tribute is both a nostalgic and symbolic farewell to a collaboration that has delivered immense success.

Red Bull brings back iconic white livery as a tribute to Honda at Suzuka

The RB21 will take on a fresh look at Suzuka, featuring a predominantly white design inspired by the legendary Honda RA272. This iconic machine, driven by Richie Ginther, secured Honda’s maiden Formula 1 victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix. The tribute extends beyond just color, as the new livery integrates historical elements from Honda’s past. The bulls on the engine cover will shine in metallic red, while the nose will prominently display a red sun, an unmistakable nod to Japan’s national flag and the Land of the Rising Sun.


Adding to the historical aesthetic, the Honda logos on the car have been modified to reflect the designs from the 1960s, reinforcing the sense of nostalgia. Additionally, the nosecone will showcase a special memorial emblem, commemorating the 60th anniversary of Ginther’s groundbreaking triumph. This homage echoes Red Bull’s 2021 Turkish Grand Prix livery, which was also dedicated to Honda following the cancellation of that year's Japanese GP due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Yuki Tsunoda’s homecoming with Red Bull

One of the most compelling storylines heading into Suzuka is the arrival of Yuki Tsunoda as a Red Bull driver. The 24-year-old Japanese racer steps into the Red Bull seat for his home Grand Prix, marking a significant milestone in his career. Tsunoda himself was overwhelmed by the timing of the opportunity, stating, "To be honest, I never expected to be racing for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix."


With the expectations from fans and Honda running high, Tsunoda remains cautiously optimistic about his performance. "This is the final year of Red Bull and Honda’s partnership, so getting to race in Suzuka as a Red Bull Racing driver feels like fate. Everything has fallen into place in just the right way for me to be standing here today." Despite acknowledging the challenge ahead, he has set an ambitious goal: "I don’t want to raise expectations too much, but for this Japanese Grand Prix, I want to finish on the podium."

The Red Bull-Honda partnership, which officially began in 2019, has yielded remarkable results, including four Drivers’ Championships, two Constructors’ Championships, and over 60 Grand Prix victories. Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner highlighted the importance of this moment, stating, "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." He further emphasized Honda’s crucial role in achieving record-breaking feats, including Max Verstappen’s historic dominance in 2023.

Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) President Koji Watanabe echoed similar sentiments, noting, "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."

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With the Suzuka race marking the culmination of this illustrious collaboration, Red Bull’s tribute livery not only honors Honda’s racing heritage but also serves as a grand farewell to a partnership that has redefined Formula 1 excellence. As the RB21 takes to the track in its resplendent white attire, the spectacle at Suzuka promises to be an emotional and memorable occasion for fans, Honda, and Red Bull Racing alike.

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