Red Bull reveal special livery for the Japanese Grand Prix

Red Bull will pay tribute to Honda with special livery for this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix which has been inspired by Honda’s RA272 first victory in the sport.

The Milton Keynes-based outfit will pay tribute to Honda at their home race this week, with this season marking the final year of one of the most successful PU partnerships in motorsport history.

Red Bull will race with a modified driver line-up at Suzuka, with Yuki Tsunoda replacing Liam Lawson from this weekend's Japanese Grand Prix onwards.

In addition, the team will also present a new colour scheme for the Japanese weekend, with a striking white and red look set to adorn both RB21s. This season marks the 60th anniversary of Honda's first victory in Formula One and the design concept is a tribute to the RA272, which gave Honda its inaugural win in 1965 at the Mexico GP, with American Richie Ginther at the wheel, driving under the number 11.

The livery recreates the RA272’s iconic Japanese flag motif, featuring the “H” logo on the nose and the simple Honda logo on the rear of the bodywork. A special logo commemorating 60 years since Honda’s first F1 victory will also be displayed across all four Red Bull cars on the grid.

This will be the second time Red Bull have raced in white to honour Honda after the Austro-British outfit took a double podium at the 2021 Turkey GP in a special livery.

Moreover, Max Verstappen and Yuki Tsunoda will also wear bespoke white, red and black Sparco racesuits and both drivers have special edition Japan GP helmets for the race.

Reflecting on the announcement, Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said: "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.

"Max has won four World titles with a Honda Power Unit and the Team have lifted two Constructors' titles, in addition, Honda's reliability enabled 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."

Speaking of the one-off livery, Honda Racing's President Koji Watanabe commented: “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.”