- The seven-time world champion and team-mate Leclerc will sport new look suits
- Last year saw the Italian constructor also opt for a different palette in Florida
Ferrari have ditched their iconic red racing suits for just the second time this century ahead of this weekend’s Miami Grand Prix.
The Italian constructor’s image is inextricable from their statement colour, which has been worn religiously by the team since the latter stages of the 20th century.
But the Prancing Horse are gearing up to debut a new look in the paddock in Florida on Friday, courtesy of their sponsors HP.
Ferrari inked a deal with the software company a year ago, and the Miami livery is set to honour the partnership, with Scuderia drivers Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc suiting up in white and blue for the first American race of the season.
The car will remain predominantly – and recognisably – red, but feature white and blue accents on the read and front wings, as well as on the wheels.
But this year’s running of the Miami Grand Prix is not the first time Ferrari have switched to a bluer hue at the Miami International Autodrome.
Lewis Hamilton will take a step away from Ferrari’s iconic red suit for a one-off design in Miami
Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will sport the suits designed for the team’s brand partner HP
The Prancing Horse’s car will also get a blue and white refresh, with new details on the wings
Last season saw the constructor make the same move, opting for a lighter blue suit and paint detailing in honour of the 70th anniversary of Ferrari importing its cars to the United States.
Leclerc and then-team-mate Carlos Sainz wore light blue racing suits redolent of the Azzuro La Plata worn by Ferrari legend Alberto Ascari.
The team’s first Formula One world champion wore the colour as he claimed the titles in 1952 and 1953, with other drivers for the constructor including John Surtees, Chris Amon, Lorenzo Bandini and Ludovico Scarfiotti following in his wake in the 1960s.
A darker blue, Azzuro Dino, was also in Ferrari’s rotation in the 1960s and 1970s, worn by drivers including Clay Regazzoni and racing icon Niki Lauda in his debut 1974 season.
The monicker Dino is a homage to Enzo Ferrari’s first son Alfredo – who was nicknamed Dino – and died aged 24.
Hamilton and Leclerc will hope the change in colour palette gets the Ferrari set-up back onto the podium, after the latter driver finished third in the season’s last running in Saudi Arabia.
The Briton meanwhile has only finished as high as fifth after a troubling start to the season at his new team.
But Ferrari team principal Frederic Vasseur has stressed that his driver has the team’s full backing despite a lacklustre beginning.
Last year’s Miami Grand Prix saw Leclec and then-team-mate Carlos Sainz in a lighter blue
Ferrari icon Niki Lauda wore a darker blue suit for his debut at the Italian constructor in 1974
‘I will give him support and we will start straight away to find solutions,’ Vasseur said last month.
‘I am not too worried. Have a look at what he did in China or what he did in Bahrain last week or even in the first part of the session this weekend. The potential is there for sure.’
Asked why Ferrari’s form had dipped so far, Vasseur exclaimed: ‘Dramatically!? We have done five races so far. I know that you won’t have the big headlines tomorrow that Fred said this… but this (analysis) is f****** bull****.
‘You have ups and downs. When we have an up, we are not world champions. When we are down, we are not nowhere.’
