Williams to Feature Iconic Gulf Oil Livery at Brazilian GP

Williams is set to debut a unique, fan-inspired livery for the 2025 Sao Paulo Grand Prix, marking its second special design in three races, thanks to its partnership with Gulf Oil. The iconic Gulf motorsport livery, known for its distinctive light blue and orange, will adorn Williams' FW47, bringing a classic look back to the F1 grid.

Why it matters:

Williams' continued collaboration with Gulf Oil to create fan-engagement liveries highlights a growing trend in F1 to connect with its global fanbase. Beyond the aesthetic appeal, these special liveries inject a sense of history and nostalgia into the sport, celebrating iconic partnerships and visually distinguishing teams on the grid. For Williams, this initiative also helps to revitalize its brand image as it looks to regain its competitive footing in Formula 1.

The details:

• Fan-Driven Design: The 'Driven by Words' campaign engaged fans by asking them to submit words that best represent Williams F1 and Gulf Oil. The most popular words—'Legacy' (over 7,000 votes), 'Passion' (over 5,800), and 'Teamwork' (over 4,100)—were incorporated into the final livery design.
• Classic Aesthetic: The design features Gulf's signature orange flowing from the nose to the rear wing, framed by the unmistakable pale blue. This color scheme gained legendary status in endurance racing, particularly at Le Mans, during the late 1960s and early 1970s.
• Design Philosophy: Ed Scott, Williams' head of creative design, emphasized the balance between the timeless form and a modern attitude. He noted the bold typography inspired by fan submissions, elegantly integrated into clean blue surfaces to project a forward-looking expression of Gulf's enduring legacy.
• Recent Brand Refresh: This livery reveal follows Williams' announcement to refresh its brand aesthetic for F1 2026, including a return to a team logo used during its first two decades under Sir Frank Williams.
• Previous Tributes: At the recent United States Grand Prix, Williams' FW47s ran a livery that paid homage to a 2002 BMW design, commemorating the founding year of title sponsor Atlassian.

The big picture:

Gulf Oil has a rich history in motorsport sponsorship, including partnerships with McLaren in F1 and Can-Am during the late 1960s. After returning to Le Mans sponsorship in the mid-1990s and becoming synonymous with Aston Martin in GT racing in the 2000s, Gulf became a strategic partner of McLaren in 2020, leading to a memorable one-off livery at the 2021 Monaco Grand Prix. Gulf then shifted its allegiance to Williams in 2023, resulting in the 'Bolder Than Bold' livery seen at the Singapore, Japanese, and Qatar Grands Prix that season. This latest Sao Paulo livery continues this tradition, strengthening the partnership and celebrating Gulf's heritage.

Looking Ahead:

These special liveries, combined with Williams' broader brand refresh for 2026, signify a concerted effort by the team to re-establish its identity and connection with its historical roots and fanbase. As the team continues its journey to improve on-track performance, visual initiatives like the Gulf livery serve as important touchpoints, reinforcing its presence and appeal within the competitive world of Formula 1.