Art of Gears
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Why We Actually Like Red Bull Racing’s Matte Blue Finish Livery

By Paulo Acoba

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: The RB11 featuring the 2016 livery is unveiled during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing's 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: The RB11 featuring the 2016 livery is unveiled during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing's 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
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Red Bull Racing unveiled their new livery for their RB11 race car for the 2016 season. 

Although Red Bull Racing has crafted its iconic appearance over the years, 2016 meant a clean sheet for the race team as far as paint jobs are concerned. Instead of going for the super glossy look found on every other team’s livery, Red Bull Racing opted for a matte blue finish, the likes of which we’ve never seen before. RBR also unveiled their new racing kits for their drivers. While the paint finish has garnered a lot of criticism, it actually looks quite good from some angles. Check out some of the exclusive photos from the media launch below.

LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Daniil Kvyat of Russia and Red Bull Racing pose on stage next to the RB11 featuring the 2016 livery during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing's 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Daniel Ricciardo of Australia and Red Bull Racing, Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner and Daniil Kvyat of Russia and Red Bull Racing pose on stage next to the RB11 featuring the 2016 livery during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing’s 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: The RB11 featuring the 2016 livery is unveiled during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing's 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: The RB11 featuring the 2016 livery is unveiled during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing’s 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images) /
LONDON, ENGLAND - FEBRUARY 17: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner speaks with members of the media during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing's 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 17: Red Bull Racing Team Principal Christian Horner speaks with members of the media during the launch event for PUMA and Red Bull Racing’s 2016 Livery and Teamwear at Old Truman Brewery on February 17, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Mark Thompson/Getty Images) /

From a technical standpoint, the matte finish actually has no discernable aero advantages from a regular glossy paint job. Christian Horner, team principal for Red Bull Racing, confirmed it himself in it tweet from Craig Scarborough. Although this was the exact same thing Ross Brawn said in 2009 about their double diffuser.

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But this new matte finish isn’t about aerodynamics or finishing faster, it’s about connecting with the fans. At the very least there will be two race cars and a backup car every race weekend. More often than not, many fans, journalists and spectators of the sport will invariably take photos and share pictures of their F1 experience. And guess whose car they’ll more than likely share a photo op with? Probably the F1 car that sticks out of the grid the most, the one with the matte blue finish.

Next: Can 8 Rugby Players Actually Stop This Red Bull F1 Car?

Some people hate matte finishes while other people absolutely love them. You have to admit that this new paint phenomenon gained popularity just a few years ago so it’s one more element of racing that the younger fans can relate to.

And although it looks like most people like last year’s livery, racing isn’t about being the best looking anyhow.

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