Red Bull‘s white livery returns for this weekend’s F1 2025 Japanese Grand Prix to serve as tribute to long-time engine partner Honda as the collaboration enters its final year.
The tribute is a heartfelt farewell to a bold and nostalgic partnership that has been instrumental in shaping one of the most dominant eras in Formula 1 history.
The revival of Red Bull’s white livery is inspired by the legendary Honda RA272 car – a nod to the Japanese manufacturer’s first Formula 1 victory at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix.
The design incorporates historical elements that celebrate Honda’s racing heritage, including metallic red bulls on the engine cover and a red sun motif on the nose of the car, symbolizing Japan’s national flag.
The tribute comes full circle during the Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka, a circuit owned by the manufacturing giant and an iconic venue for its home Grand Prix.
The Red Bull Honda partnership began in 2019 and has since delivered remarkable success. Over the years, the collaboration has resulted in four Drivers’ Championships, two Constructors’ Championships, and more than 60 Grand Prix victories.
Red Bull’s star driver Max Verstappen has been at the forefront of this dominance, securing four world titles powered by Honda engines.
In 2023, the Milton Keynes based outfit achieved an unprecedented level of success with Honda power units completing what is widely regarded as the most successful season in Formula 1 history.
“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,” said Red Bull Team Principal Christian Horner.
“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.”
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President of Honda Racing Corporation (HRC) Koji Watanabe echoed Horner’s sentiments: “It is quite moving to see the Honda 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.”
Max Verstappen will further amplify this tribute by sporting a specially designed white-and-red helmet featuring Japanese writing during the race weekend.
The team has also embraced this theme on social media by updating its profile pictures with white and red designs and incorporating Japanese text into its branding.
The timed unveiling of Red Bull’s white livery adds another layer of significance as this weekend marks Yuki Tsunoda’s Red Bull debut race which coincidentally comes at his home Grand Prix in Suzuka.
The Japanese driver’s promotion to the main team is seen as a symbolic gesture that will further strengthen the Red Bull Honda partnership before completely severing ties at the end of the year.
From 2026 onwards, Red Bull will transition to Ford power units, while Honda will return as an engine supplier for Aston Martin.
Red Bull’s white livery returns after the team previously ran a similar design at the 2021 Turkish Grand Prix as a tribute to Honda when COVID-19 restrictions resulted to cancellation of Japanese Grand Prix that year.
The livery was meant to commemorate Honda’s last official year as Red Bull’s works engine partner before transitioning to technical support roles.
