Each F1 season brings fresh paint jobs, but some past designs are so memorable they deserve a modern comeback. Below are ten liveries from different eras that would look striking reimagined on today’s cars.
Renault R26
Renault’s blue-and-yellow R26 symbolised their 2006 dominance and Fernando Alonso’s title success. The bold, high-contrast palette would make a modern Alpine instantly recognisable and celebrate a golden moment for the team.
Jordan 191
The 1991 Jordan 191 combined a distinctive green with prominent 7Up branding and remains a fan favourite. Its clean, period styling and connection to Michael Schumacher’s debut would translate beautifully to a contemporary Aston Martin reinterpretation.
McLaren MP4-23
McLaren’s chrome, silver and red MP4-23 is tied to Lewis Hamilton’s first championship in 2008. The reflective finish and strong sponsor accents made it dramatic then; a modern take on that sheen would be an eye-catching throwback.
Williams FW14B
The FW14B’s blue, yellow and white livery, complete with Mansell’s red nose number, is among Williams’ most iconic looks. Its bold colours and engineering dominance in 1992 would be a beloved retro choice if revived on today’s car.
Brawn BGP 001
Brawn GP’s 2009 white chassis with fluorescent yellow highlights matched the team’s underdog story and Jenson Button’s title run. A contemporary Mercedes invoking that simple, triumphant look would honour one of F1’s great surprises.
Benetton B186
Benetton’s 1986 B186 embraced bright green and playful colour splashes, even experimenting with painted tyre sidewalls. Its kaleidoscopic, adventurous approach would provide a refreshing contrast on the modern grid.
Toro Rosso STR12
The STR12’s vivid royal blue with red, silver and purple accents jumped out in 2017. That shimmering, youthful palette—seen during the Sainz/Kvyat era—would bring a vibrant alternative to current team colours.
Jordan 198
Jordan’s 1998 yellow livery, featuring the Buzzin’ Hornets theme and a bold black nose graphic, showed how mascots and motifs can define a team’s identity. Its fun, in-your-face design would be a popular throwback.
McLaren M23
Before McLaren adopted papaya orange, the M23 sported a classic red, white and gold scheme linked to Fittipaldi’s and later Prost/Senna-era success. A modern homage would reconnect McLaren with a storied chapter of its history.
Red Bull RB11 (testing livery)
Red Bull’s 2015 RB11 arrived at Jerez wrapped in black-and-white camouflage to hide details—a reveal that sparked plenty of debate. Using a camo or testing-style wrap in competition would be an inventive nod to one of the sport’s most talked-about unveilings.
Each of these liveries carries history, character or a memorable reveal moment. Whether tied to championships, debuts or creative bravado, they’d all make compelling retro designs if teams opted to bring them back.