While several special liveries were spotted on the track throughout the Barcelona shakedown week and pre-season testing in Bahrain, eleven F1 teams in 2026 will now introduce one-off designs during the 22-race season as well.
F1 cars are built to leave an impression not only in the literal but also in the figurative sense. It’s not just the innovative, jaw-dropping engineering spectacles that capture the attention of the fans; it’s also very much about how visually captivating the cars are as they rocket around racetracks worldwide.
Although special liveries in F1 became popular and frequent only in the 21st century, particularly after 2020, teams began experimenting and deviating from their standard paint schemes as early as the late 1960s.
One-off liveries are often presented to mark a specific occasion; for instance, they might celebrate a milestone event for the team, commemorate a partnership, or be a nod to the venue. Circuits like Monaco, COTA, and Las Vegas, for example, commonly see a wide range of unique liveries reflecting the venue and the prestige of the sport.
2026 F1 Japanese GP: Racing Bulls special livery
The Racing Bulls F1 team has rolled out a striking one-off livery for the 2026 Japanese GP in collaboration with calligrapher Bisen Aoyagi.
Continuing the tradition they have established over the past few seasons, the Faenza-based squad introduced the livery for this year’s race in the ‘Land of the Rising Sun’ during the Red Bull Tokyo Drift night-time car meet and party on March 21.
Shaped by the Red Bull Spring Edition and the atmosphere of Japan in cherry blossom season, the livery sees the team’s signature colours reworked into a bold white, red, and silver palette. Moreover, Aoyagi’s calligraphy, which uses bold brush strokes to reflect the rhythm and flow of racing, runs across the car.
The matching team kit, which draws inspiration from the new Red Bull Spring Edition can and the celebration of Sakura, features “Give You Wiiings” written in traditional Japanese shodo brush calligraphy.
The livery will run across the full race weekend at the iconic Suzuka Circuit, appearing on the VCARB 03 cars of Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, the race suits, and the team kit.
Aoyagi will be present across the weekend, carrying on the work trackside with live calligraphy and fan pieces inspired by the design. Furthermore, she will also style the team’s garage at Suzuka.
Peter Bayer, CEO of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls, said:
“As a team, we’re always looking for ways to connect with young fans and the cultures that shape our sport.
“The creative direction for this special livery and team kit originated with the Red Bull Spring Edition can, and together with Bisen Aoyagi, we transformed that bold design into something truly unique for the track.
“Unveiling it in Tokyo, in front of the passionate fans at Red Bull Tokyo Drift, makes this moment even more special for our team.”
Bisen Aoyagi, Japanese calligrapher, added:
“Calligraphy captures motion in a single stroke, much like racing captures speed in a pivotal moment. I was inspired by cherry blossoms and the culture of Japan to create a design that feels powerful, elegant and alive on the car.”
2026 F1 Japanese GP: Haas special livery
Haas will don a Godzilla-themed livery for the Japanese GP, the third round of the 2026 F1 season, as they attempt to score points for the third race weekend in a row.
Ahead of the home race for the team’s title partner Toyota Gazoo Racing, Haas announced a brand-new season-long collaboration with TOHO CO., LTD., the iconic Japanese entertainment studio and home of Godzilla.
While Haas offered the first sneak peek of the look during the announcement of the partnership, drivers Esteban Ocon and Ollie Bearman and team principal Ayao Komatsu unveiled the special livery at a live event in Tokyo Midtown Hibiya on March 24.
After running a cherry blossom livery at Suzuka last year, Haas have reverted to their traditional colour scheme of white, black, and red. The VF-26’s eye-catching livery incorporates the ‘King of the Monsters’ into the design across the engine covers.
Previewing the 2026 Japanese GP weekend and one-off livery, Haas team boss Ayao Komatsu said:
“The Japanese Grand Prix is another one of our home races, this season returning with our title partner TOYOTA GAZOO Racing, so it’s a really big race for us.
“We’re motivated to carry on the momentum we got from the first two races, and I think the team is working really, really well. Suzuka will pose a very different challenge from Shanghai, but at least so far on two different circuits, we’ve managed to adapt our approach well to get the best out of our car and drivers.
“Our target in Suzuka is to again focus on the fundamentals and then try to get both cars into point double points, that’s what we’re aiming for.
“I’m also really excited to see all the Japanese fans as we unveil our special Godzilla-themed livery in Tokyo. This collaboration is a first and is truly exciting, it really shows a part of who we are as a team and our identity, so I hope fans enjoy this fun livery.”
Ollie Bearman commented:
“I love that Japan is another ‘home’ race for TGR Haas F1 Team. It’s the most spectacular city, the fans are so passionate, and for a second year in a row we’re revealing a very special livery. I feel that partnering with Godzilla is something only Haas could do, we do things our way, and it’s really quite something.
“Looking to the track, it’s one of the best circuits in the world. It’s fast, flowing, and you need to be precise. The VF-26 has proven to be a consistent car over the first two races, and the start of this season has been a great one. We need to keep up this momentum heading into April, this team is doing great things right now and we need showcase their hard work on track.”
Esteban Ocon added:
“I’m very excited to be back in beautiful Japan and race in Suzuka this weekend. The fans in Japan are always amazing and for me Suzuka is the best circuit on the calendar.
“The first sector, which is very fast and flowing, is one of the best combinations of corners anywhere. It’s an old-school track where I’ve had some good results in the past so I can’t wait to get going again.
“I know there will be plenty of fans cheering for TGR Haas F1 Team. We also have a cool Godzilla partnership and livery this week, so we’ll be hoping to build up throughout the weekend and leave on Sunday night with a solid haul of points for the team.”
2026 F1 Japanese GP: Mercedes special livery
Mercedes have become the third F1 team, after Racing Bulls and Haas, to reveal a special livery for the 2026 Japanese GP weekend.
The Brackley-based squad took to social media on March 24 and presented renders of the W17 sporting the motif of an apex predator. While a distinct grey wolf with piercing yellow eyes is emblazoned on the front wing, the rest of the car retains the standard livery design with a combination of black and silver complemented by Petronas green accents.
The one-off livery, presented under the tagline of ‘unleashing the beast’, will adorn the cars of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli from Friday practice to Sunday’s race at Suzuka, as Mercedes look to secure a 1-2 finish for the third time this season.
