Red Bull and Honda bid farewell with stunning Japanese GP livery
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As anticipated, Red Bull Racing has unveiled a special livery for the upcoming Japanese Grand Prix, paying homage to its long-standing engine partner Honda.
This momentous occasion marks the final home race for Honda with the Milton Keynes-based team before Red Bull transitions to its own in-house engine, developed in partnership with Ford, in 2026.
Honda has been instrumental in Red Bull's success over recent years, powering Max Verstappen to multiple championships and contributing to the team's dominance in Formula 1.
A Nod to Honda's Historic First F1 Triumph
As a tribute, Red Bull will run a unique white livery on its RB21, inspired by Honda's first-ever F1 victory with the RA272 driven by Richie Ginther at the 1965 Mexican Grand Prix.
The white base, subtly adjusted for weight savings, echoes Japan's national flag, while the Red Bull logos on the engine cover will shine in metallic red.
At the nose, a bold red sun mirrors the RA272's design, symbolizing the Land of the Rising Sun and Honda's deep-rooted legacy.
©RedBull
Further tying the tribute to history, Honda's logos on the car have been restyled to reflect their 1960s branding.
A commemorative logo on the nosecone also celebrates the 60th anniversary of Ginther's landmark win, adding an extra layer of significance to the RB21's appearance.
Echoes of a Past Tribute
This isn't the first time Red Bull has donned a white livery in honor of Honda. In 2021, the team introduced a similar color scheme at the Turkish Grand Prix after the Japanese GP was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
That tribute marked what was then Honda's official farewell from F1, even though the company continued supplying power units to Red Bull's squads in the following seasons.
Now, in 2025, this latest homage carries an even deeper resonance as it truly marks the end of an era.
A Historic Moment for Yuki Tsunoda
The red-and-white color scheme, considered a symbol of good fortune in Japan, aligns with another milestone: Yuki Tsunoda's debut as a Red Bull Racing driver.
The 24-year-old Japanese talent replaces Liam Lawson, bringing heightened anticipation to the team's lineup for this emotionally charged weekend.
Speaking at a Honda event last week in Tokyo's Aoyama headquarters, Tsunoda expressed his disbelief at the timing.
"To be honest, I never expected to be racing for Red Bull at the Japanese Grand Prix," he said.
"This is the final year of Red Bull and Honda's partnership, so getting to race in Suzuka as a Red Bull Racing driver feels like fate. Everything has fallen into place in just the right way for me to be standing here today."
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For Tsunoda, the opportunity carries personal weight as a Japanese driver representing Honda's legacy on home turf, while Red Bull's leadership has voiced high expectations for his performance, viewing him as a fitting figure to carry the team through this symbolic race.
As the RB21, clad in its special livery, roars around Suzuka, it won't just be a car in motion – it will be a moving testament to a golden era of Formula 1 collaboration.
For Red Bull, Honda, and the fans, this weekend is about more than just racing; it's about celebrating history, honoring legacy, and embracing the future.
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