Red Bull Racing has announced the cancellation of its planned custom livery for the RB20 car to be used in the Singapore and U.S. Grand Prix. The team originally planned to feature fan-voted liveries, continuing its tradition of engaging fans through unique car designs. However, testing revealed that the paint used for these custom liveries added “undue” weight to the RB20, adversely affecting its performance in an intensely competitive season.
The idea of having fan-voted liveries is not new to Red Bull, which previously showcased popular designs such as the red-highlighted livery at the British Grand Prix. These fan-driven initiatives have been a crucial part of Red Bull’s brand engagement strategy, fostering a robust connection with their audience. The REBL CUSTMS Livery Competition was another such effort aimed at involving fans directly in the team’s aesthetic choices. “Thank you so much for entering the REBL CUSTMS Livery Competition. Once again, the designs showed ingenuity and a progressive thinking that has come to be the benchmark, as our fan-designed livery campaigns have evolved over the past two years,” Red Bull said, recognizing the innovative designs submitted by fans.
Technical testing, however, uncovered a significant issue: the custom paint added unforeseen weight to the bodywork of the RB20. In a sport where weight and performance are intimately connected, even a minor increase can lead to a substantial competitive disadvantage. “Unfortunately, when we came to the testing phase of what some REBL CUSTMS designs could look like, in real life, on the RB20, we found the paint used to create these bespoke, full car takeover liveries, added unforeseen and undue weight to the bodywork of the RB20. As I’m sure you can imagine, any additional weight compromises performance and the Team are continuing to prioritise making this car as competitive as possible for the remainder of the 2024 season. As a result, it is with a heavy heart that we must let you know the Team has made the decision to not run the REBL CUSTMS liveries on the RB20 at the Singapore and United States GPs,” the team explained.
Currently, Red Bull faces a challenging 2024 season. McLaren has moved ahead in the Constructors’ Championship, leaving Red Bull to contend for their position. Meanwhile, Max Verstappen holds a 59-point lead over Lando Norris in the Drivers’ Standings, a margin that the team is keen to defend. Hence, Red Bull has opted to put performance over fan engagement to claw back ground in both championships. The cancellation underscores the team’s commitment to maintaining a competitive edge, especially in a tightly contested season.
The REBL CUSTMS Livery Competition drew numerous contributions from fans, highlighting their creativity and enthusiasm for the sport. However, as the team rightly prioritized optimization and car performance, the bespoke liveries had to be sidelined. This decision is central to Red Bull’s strategy to regain its formidability within the fiercely competitive Formula 1 environment.
Looking ahead, Red Bull will continue to prioritize car performance over aesthetic endeavors, a decision that reflects current realities in Formula 1. Fans may still look forward to other engagement opportunities, albeit with a recognition that competitive performance remains paramount. As the season progresses, Red Bull aims to balance innovation with efficacy, ensuring that their focus remains sharply on the track where every ounce of weight and fraction of a second counts.
The decision to cancel the fan-voted liveries highlights a tough but necessary choice that aligns with the team’s broader objectives. For now, Red Bull’s focus turns intently to performance, hoping to close the gap with McLaren and secure a stronger foothold in the championship battles.
