Why is Ferrari Going Blue for F1 Miami Grand Prix?
For Ferrari's 70th anniversary in the American market, their Miami livery will feature two shades of blue, Azzurro La Plata and Azzurro Dino, subtly applied to various parts of the SF-24 driven by Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz this weekend.
By Divyam Dubey
Ferrari has unveiled their much-awaited unique Miami Grand Prix livery, which includes blue highlights with their recognisable red vehicles. Before the race, the team hinted at the unusual paint job, which included two blue tones, which piqued interest in how much of it would be on the red cars. With blue highlights on the front and back wings and more bodywork details, the revealed livery keeps Ferrari's iconic red as the dominant colour. The team will officially change its name to 'Scuderia Ferrari HP' and the computer company's logo will be prominently displayed on the cars and drivers' race suits as part of this unveiling, which also marks the announcement of Hewlett Packard as their new title sponsor.
F1: It's Not the First Time Ferrari Goes Blue
This isn't Ferrari's first foray into racing in blue. Lorenzo Bandini and John Surtees drove the Ferrari 158 to an astounding seven podiums, two pole positions, and two wins in ten races back in 1964. Originally sporting the classic Rosso Corsa, the chassis was later painted blue and white for the last two races, including the US Grand Prix at Watkins Glen.
The story began in 1962 when Enzo Ferrari was trying to have his 250 GTO approved for GT racing. But strict rules required Ferrari to build at least 100 road cars, a task it was unable to complete. They did, however, trick the ACI and FIA into compliance. Ferrari wanted to homologate the new 250 LM racecar by 1964, but the FIA, seeing their strategy, refused.
Furious that ACI was not standing behind Ferrari in their fight with the FIA, Enzo Ferrari threatened to cut all links with Italy. Giving up his competitor's licence, Ferrari competed in the Championship's American and Mexican rounds while wearing a unique white and blue livery. John Surtees finished second in both races, but Enzo's promise never to race in Italian colours again was short-lived after winning championships.
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A completely unprecedented achievement on two levels, Surtees became the first and only champion on two and four wheels as well as the first Ferrari driver to win an F1 championship in blue.
