“People recognise the Red Bull connection instantly. It worked in that it got my attention, which is really what they are trying to do in this internet age. I was intrigued to know what AlphaTauri is, so I looked it up and saw it’s a clothing brand owned by Red Bull. The lines don’t try and defeat the shape of the car. Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, Circuit de Catalunya, 2020“The is very clear and crisp on there, and it’s terribly simple.
“I have a problem, because if I like a team, then I may be a little more likely to like the graphic presentation – and I like that team. Stevens’ rating: 9/10 AlphaTauri Pierre Gasly, AlphaTauri, Circuit de Catalunya, 2020 Stevens credits Marlboro – Alfa Romeo’s early eighties title sponsor – for the change from 1950s scarlet to the edgier red used from 1980-83: “(Parent) Philip Morris was pretty good some of those companies had a culture of good graphics which they brought with them to Formula 1.” In the past Alfas were a darker red, more kind of brooding red.” They’ve given it that metallic edge, which makes it really stand out. “The metallic red works really well in sunlight, which interesting because it’s not really Italian racing red. They want to play those down but on the Alfa Romeo the bit that stands out is the bit they want to stand out, which is that glorious white graphic on the engine cover. Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, Circuit de Catalunya, 2020“One of the problems is these are not beautiful cars these days with some weird bits, and the nose is really grim. It works well on TV, because of the fleeting moment that you have to register what you’re seeing. “The thing about Alfa Romeo is they hadn’t been in Formula 1, so it has to be a very clear, straightforward message. Alfa Romeo Kimi Raikkonen, Alfa Romeo, Circuit de Catalunya, 2020 With the first cars of the 2021 F1 season due to appear next week, RaceFans asked him to rate modern livery designs.
He writes internationally on design matters, races a vintage Ford Dry Lakes Hot-Rod, and makes excellent Sloe Gin. His PSD LLP consultancy is currently involved in the design and conceptualisation for a variety of vehicles for home and international markets, while recent (embargoed) projects include low-cost vehicles for developing countries and inner city streets, and high performance electric race car and road vehicles. Otherwise, it’s a bit of a mystery to me why people would do it.”Ĭlassy Brabham BT52 livery came from Stevens’ penPeter was twice nominated for the Prince Phillip Designer’s Prize, was Autocar magazine’s Designer of the Year in 2002 and received the British Design Council Award for the Lotus Elan SE in 1991. A lot of people go into sponsoring cars because of the high profile and the high worth of everything around Formula 1, but it only works if a car exudes that sense of quality and style. “One of my criticisms when I first looked at the Benettons was that they looked like part of a fairground ride, and I asked why they wanted that. When designing liveries Stevens starts by asking asks himself: Why would people do it? From the team point of view, it’s for the money, but what is it that the sponsor wants to get out of? Bernie said to me, “Come have a look.’ I said, ‘You have to have those anodised blue because they just look awful.’ Bernie said, ‘Herbie, have those anodised blue.’ Just like that.” “There were these horrible things that looked like they had fallen off the back of a truck. When Brabham decided they were going to do in-race refuelling they used aluminium, high pressure ‘beer cans’. He’s going to come up with some new schemes for us by midday tomorrow.’ Thereafter I did all the Parmalat Brabham liveries.” And this looks like shit.’īrabham, Benetton and others used Stevens’ liveries“So Bernie says, ‘This is Peter Stevens. Niki said, ‘Bernie, what the hell is this? I ain’t never going to drive a car looks like shit. It’s light green, dark green, yellow, red, blue, white, gold. There’s Niki Lauda, and he’s stomping around this car. We’ve got a bit of trouble actually,’ and took me to the workshop. “I presented myself and Bernie said, ‘Yeah. “I heard Brabham had secured a new sponsor ,” recalls Peter of his first F1 livery gig in 1978, “so I called Bernie up, introduced myself and asked whether he would like some new ideas. Less known is that he designed race-car graphics and liveries for Formula 1 teams – including Brabham, Benetton, Prost and Arrows – for Jaguar’s Le Mans winners, and for touring car projects. He also designed a number of high-performance vehicles, including the Jaguar XJR-15, Prodrive’s Subaru World Rally Championship-winning car, the Lotus Esprit Mark Two, Lotus Excel and Elan SE as well as BMW’s 1999 Le Mans winner.