Haas has become the first team to offer a glimpse at their new 2019 car by revealing a new black and gold livery inspired by title sponsor Rich Energy.
The American team announced the partnership with the energy drinks brand late last season and the new partnership sees an end to the traditional red, grey and black paint schemes Haas have used since joining in 2016.
By joining Formula 1 as a team title sponsor, Rich Energy is hoping to take on market rival Red Bull on their own patch and their CEO William Storey had some rather ambitious goals.
“We are confident we will beat Red Bull in many races this year,” he told UK newspaper The Sun. “That is holy grail marketing but sometimes you get a bit of serendipity and right timing.
“Red Bull have spent £250billion in F1 and last year across Toro Rosso and Red Bull, there or thereabouts, £400million.
“Ultimately, we are going to have a better-looking car.”
The new livery will no doubt remind long-time F1 fans of the John Player Special Lotus cars which remain immediately recognisable to this day.
While there are some aspects of the photo above which are new for the VF-19, a look at the complete car will have to wait until the rollout at pre-season testing in Barcelona later this month.