This weekend we will see the 2021 F1 cars in an official track test for the first time. So far all the cars have been launched in the same livery as will be used for the Grands Prix, but things have changed.
Keeping as much a secret as possible
Just last year Renault arrived at the Circuit de Catalunya with an all black livery. The livery was loved by many, but was not to last. For the first Grand Prix in Austria, or actually Australia already, the team came with its familiar yellow-black colours. Black or other dark colours are common for test liveries, as Alfa Romeo also used them during a film day.
Red Bull Racing often gives its designers a lot of freedom when it comes to creating unique test liveries, although it has been some time since we last saw a special colour scheme at the team. In 2018 and 2017, the team used a special 'Camo Bull' livery for a film day, while in 2015 the Milton Keynes-based team drove the entire winter test in a striking black and white livery. All to keep as many new gadgets on the car secret as possible.
No special liveries in 2021
For 2021 it seems that we will not see any special liveries during the three-day test in Bahrain, unless Ferrari comes up with a surprise. However, with the new regulations in 2022 it could be that we see a 'Camo Bull' again.