Ferrari’s 2016 F1 Car to Feature 1975-Inspired White Engine Cover
Ferrari’s 2016 Formula One livery will introduce a prominent white engine cover, drawing direct inspiration from the 1975 312T driven by Niki Lauda to the world championship.
Ferrari’s Formula One car for the 2016 season will break with recent tradition and feature a striking white engine cover, a nod to the team’s 1975 312T that carried Niki Lauda to a world title. Official livery drafts published by La Repubblica indicate that the new design is set to add considerably more white to the Scuderia’s famous red, with the engine cover finished almost entirely in white.
The 1975 312T is a landmark in Ferrari’s history, remembered for its flat-12 engine, transverse gearbox and the championship it delivered. The new livery’s white engine cover is intended as a tribute to that era, blending heritage with the demands of modern Formula One branding. Ferrari has rarely used white so extensively since the 1970s, making this a notable visual shift for the team.
Design echoes Lauda’s championship car
Photographs and renderings show the 2016 Ferrari with a white engine cover that closely echoes the 312T’s look. The rest of the car remains predominantly red, but the contrast is far more pronounced than in recent years. The move is more than cosmetic: Ferrari’s livery changes often reflect an effort to signal a new chapter, particularly when the team is looking to challenge for championships.
The 2016 season opens with Ferrari under pressure to close the gap to Mercedes, who have dominated since the introduction of the hybrid power unit regulations. While technical details of the new Ferrari remain under wraps ahead of pre-season testing, the livery change is already drawing attention from fans and rivals alike.
Why the livery matters for Ferrari
Livery changes at Ferrari are rare and often carry meaning beyond aesthetics. The white engine cover not only recalls a successful period in the team’s history but also serves to differentiate the 2016 car visually from its recent predecessors. For sponsors and fans, the shift is a clear signal that Ferrari is aiming to recapture the spirit of past triumphs as it seeks to mount a credible challenge to Mercedes.
The new look will make its track debut at pre-season testing in Barcelona, where the car’s performance will be scrutinised as closely as its appearance. With expectations high, Ferrari’s homage to the 312T is as much about confidence as it is about nostalgia.
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