The F1 season is almost here, all the base liveries have been announced, so now it is time to rank them 1-11, yes 11, as we now have Sauber turned into Audi and Cadillac added to the grid, plus a fully redesigned car for every team with new rules in 2026. This list will certainly anger anyone who reads it because I am too low on your favorite F1 team and too high on your least favorite, and disrespectful to the classics I am sure. That said, this is my take and rank based on personal opinion, let the debate begin.
1) Cadillac
Maybe it was the Super Bowl commercial that did it, maybe it is the fact they are a new team, or maybe it is simply the fact the livery is awesome. I love the split design with it dark on the right and light on the left while merging seamlessly down the middle. it is clean, it is innovative, it is a damn good debut livery.
2) Haas
Haas has long been a livery that is forgettable, but that is not the case this year. The have added more white, but the swooping “lines” look awesome and the GR really stands out. For a rather basic color scheme, they have really made the most of it this year and is very much in the conversation for most improved.
3) Mercedes
I have had a love-hate relationship with Mercedes liveries over the years, but this year is a win for me. As the silver moves to the back and turns almost into a scale-like design before hitting the Mercedes stars really works. The teal lines accent the whole car well giving it a splash of color while keeping the overall design super clean.
4) Ferrari
Loving the throwback feel, the driver number looks fantastic, but the sponsor inspired blue just bothers me. I know F1 has sponsors all over, and I am not mad at the HP in the white, but the IBM making the back wing blue has never sat well with me, it just takes away from the classic Ferrari feel.
5) Red Bull
Red Bull has brightened their blue from the deep navy to a much brighter shade, and it really alllows the yellow to pop. They have long been an underwhelming livery for me, this is a clear upgrade with the red bull and the yellow ahead of it in both location really standing out in a positive way.
6) Alpine
I have long had an affinity for the blue and pink combination, likely due to the fact those were my elementary school colors so it was engrained in me at a young age, so I love the color scheme for Alpine. I have always wanted more, but this is one of my favorite liveries from them. The pink is well scattered in a way that really compliments the blue and looks good overall.
7) Williams
I still say the Duracell piece is one of the best uses of a sponsor in terms of pure design in F1, so that automatically gets a positive review from me. I like the addition of the sky blue on the side pod, although the white sections just don’t flow as well. Overall, much like the team on the track, kinda a mid-pack livery.
8) McLaren
I get it, they won the constructors and driver title a year ago, so don’t mess with a good thing. That said, I just don’t love it. Not inspired, the papaya is oviously prominent, but the black diagonal strip doesn’t do anything for me. The Google Chrome wheels are still fun, but overall just meh.
9) Aston Martin
Do I like their color scheme, yes I do. Do I like what they do with it, no. It is just boring and forgettable. Pretty much all I have to say on this one.
10) Racing Bulls
While Red Bull went from navy to a brighter blue, Racing Bulls did the opposite and it had the reverse effect. The bull doesn’t pop nearly enough and it absolutely looks like a second tier version of the parent team. Unlike minor league baseball where the affiliates have fun with their branding, Racing Bulls has never really pushed their livery like they should.
11) Audi
I had really high hopes for Audi’s livery and have ever since they announced they were taking over Sauber for the 2026 season. Maybe the multiple years of concept liveries hurt them, maybe they just truly dropped the ball, but I was incredibly dissapointed when the livery droped. The orange somehow detracts rather than adds to the livery, the plain orange section between the silver and black just looks so unfinished. The lack of creativity here is such a let down.
The Stain Sports 