Shortly before race weekend began the Red Bull Formula One team released photos of their all-white racecar livery designed to wish their current engine partner Honda farewell. Honda and Red Bull have been partnered since 2019 with the Japanese company set to pull out after this season ends.
Drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will be seen racing in the white cars with the Red Bull logo and "Thank you" printed in Japanese along the side. The car has retained the yellow airbox and blue rear wing. The driver logos will be displayed in a red circle reminiscent of the Japanese flag. Red Bull's sister driving team Alpha Tauri is also going to feature the "Thank you" message on its cars as they have been working with Honda since 2018.
The livery was originally meant to be raced on the Suzuka racetrack in Japan, but the venue was shifted to Turkey on account of the Covid-19 situation in Japan. This is the second year in a row that the Japanese Grand Prix has been cancelled.
Red Bull will take over the IP of Honda's V6 hybrid power units for the 2022 season, forming its own engine division called Red Bull Powertrains. This will be the new power unit supplier for the team.
The Turkish Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, October 10 at the Istanbul Park track.