F1: Haas F1 Goes Black & Gold For 2019

The 2019 Formula 1 season is set to kick off soon but today begins the season in which all the teams reveal their new weapons for the upcoming season.

While there have been a few teases from the likes of Mercedes GP and Williams, Haas F1 Is the first out of the gate to reveal their 2019 car: the VF-19.

Immediately you’ll notice the legendary black and gold livery made famous by the Lotus “John Player Special” in the 70s.

Though, this time the black and gold colors from new sponsor, Rich Energy, a UK-based energy drink company. Thus, the new team name is Rich Energy Haas F1.

Looking more closely at the VF-19, you’ll begin to see the aerodynamic changes that have gone into effect for 2019.

There are a lot of changes to be honest but in a nutshell, the FIA has forced teams to simplify their front spoilers, brake ducts, and rear wings.

These changes effectively slow the cars down but are designed to create closer more exciting racing. We’ll see how that works out.

A quick look at the VF-19’s front spoiler will show that aside from being much wider, is missing the upper flaps and has much simpler end plates.

Out back, you’ll see a much more simplified rear wing which is also wider and is missing the horizontal gills that were in play last year.

Though with the car’s black hue, its a bit harder to see more of the changes.

Technical stuff aside, the VF-19 is a beautiful race car. It likely won’t be the fastest but at least it will look good fighting for 4th place.

That’s not a joke either, during the reveal event, the team literally said their goal for 2019 is to “fight for fourth”. Realistic goals are never a bad thing, so more power to ’em!

To get a better look at the VF-19 just click on any of the pictures for a larger version. For more info, check out the press release below. Afterward let us know what you think about the VF-19 in the comments or tweet to us at @MotorworldHype.

Stay tuned as more car reveals are coming this month. Williams and Toro Rosso are up next as both teams are set to reveal their 2019 cars in a few days on February 11th.

Press Release:

LONDON, England (Feb. 7, 2019) – Rich Energy Haas F1 Team unveiled its new-look for the 2019 FIA Formula One World Championship with a livery launch hosted at the prestigious Royal Automobile Club (RAC) on Pall Mall in London, while the design of its VF-19 challenger debuted online across the team’s website and social media platforms.

Incorporating the resplendent black and gold colors of Rich Energy, the premium British energy drink first announced as title partner of Haas F1 Team in October 2018, the 2019 livery was revealed on a show car in London as drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, together with team principal Guenther Steiner and Rich Energy chief executive officer William Storey, peeled back the covers before a throng of assembled guests at the RAC.

In addition to the infusion of Rich Energy’s branding, Haas Automation maintains its prominent placement on the VF-19, the familiar light gray tone associated with the three previous liveries have been carried over in the decals on its latest entry, one which will look to build on the success of the VF-18 which carried Haas F1 Team to a fifth-place finish in the 2018 constructors standings. The VF-19 continues to sport the branding of team partners JACK & JONES, PEAK, BlueDEF, Richard Mille, Alpinestars and Pirelli.

“This is the time of the season when you hope you’ve got designs right and you can be competitive straight away,” said Gene Haas, founder of Haas Automation and chairman of Rich Energy Haas F1 Team. “The new car looks distinctive, not only in terms of its color scheme, but also with the new regulations in play. Hopefully those design changes brought in for 2019 will improve the racing on-track, and more importantly give us a shot at making more of an impact at each Grand Prix.”

Team principal Guenther Steiner commented; “It’s important that we keep progressing as a team, and this season is no different. Our partnership with Rich Energy is another positive example of moving forward as an organization. We’re pleased to see their colors on the VF-19, we welcome them as they join our valued partner group in utilizing Formula One as a global marketing platform. While 2018 delivered our best season to-date, the year showed, sometimes sharply, that we still have areas to improve on as a team. On-track, our push for performance started early with the VF-19, our next step is to get to Spain and utilize our time there wisely to prepare for Australia.”

“I’m naturally delighted to finally see the Rich Energy colors and stag logo in Formula One with Haas F1 Team,” said William Storey, chief executive officer of Rich Energy. “Partnering with the team has already significantly raised the profile of our brand, this livery unveil will again elevate us to another level. It’s fantastic to see the VF-19 decked out in black and gold, with Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen similarly attired. We’ve worked closely with Haas F1 Team to ensure we present a strong look, one we’re now very proud to take around the world competing in Formula One.”

The digital renderings of the VF-19, in addition to showcasing the team’s new color scheme, also display the impact of the new season’s regulation changes.
The simplified front-wing is evident, now 200mm wider and 20mm higher – designed to allow drivers to follow each other more closely and increase the possibility of overtaking. Similarly, the rear wing has been made simpler, as well as 20mm higher and 100mm wider, to aid slipstreaming and promote closer racing. Smaller, repositioned barge boards are also visible, reduced in height by 150mm and moved forward by 100mm, these have been designed to improve air flow from the front wing making them less aerodynamically disruptive.

The physical unveil of the Rich Energy Haas F1 Team VF-19 will take place at 8 a.m. on Feb. 18 outside of the team garage at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. Formula One pre-season testing will run from Feb. 18-21 and again Feb. 26-March 1 at the Spanish track before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix March 17 in Melbourne.