Williams drop Gulf livery ahead of Sao Paulo weekend

Williams Racing has dropped a new special livery ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 race weekend in Sao Paulo, inspired by Gulf Oil. 

Feature image credit: Williams Racing

On the evening of Bonfire Night, November 5, Williams and Gulf Oil announced that the team will sport a ‘one-of-a-kind’ special livery at the upcoming Sao Paulo Grand Prix. 

The livery, named ‘Driven by Words’, which fuses Gulf Oil’s iconic colours and Williams’ blue livery, features words by fans and is set to celebrate ‘the passion and emotion’ of racing. 

It is set to feature 493 words that fans from around the world associate with Williams and Gulf. 

The unveiling also follows on from Williams’ recent announcement that they will undergo a rebranding in 2026 and will change their name to Williams F1 Team in the new year. 

Williams Racing announce rebranding ahead of 2026 F1 season

“As an iconic Formula 1 team with a Championship-winning legacy and a plan to win again, we know Atlassian Williams Racing means so much to our millions of fans around the world,” commented Williams Team Principal, James Vowels. 

“This incredible livery campaign with Gulf has really brought that to life, and it will be a privilege to race every lap in Brazil with the passion and emotion of our fans woven into this beautiful design on the car.”

Williams confirmed that fans were invited to submit their words in July, and they received over 140,000 votes from fans, with the most popular choices including the words: legacy, passion and teamwork. 

Those said words have been incorporated into the upcoming livery. 

The cars will be brought onto the track by the team’s drivers, Carlos Sainz and Alexander Albon, who are currently helping the team secure its most successful season since 2016. 

Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Tensions rise ahead of final four races

Heading into Sao Paulo, the team currently occupy fifth place in the constructors’ championship with 111 points to their name, 39 points more than their closest rivals: Racing Bulls (72pts).

“Through our partnership with Williams, we continue to celebrate those who truly make racing matter – the fans,” said, Gulf Oil International CEO, Mike Jones. 

“This livery is created by them and their passion for the Gulf brand. ‘Driven by Words’ marks another moment in Gulf’s exceptional racing history, and we are thrilled to see this unique livery come to life on-track in Brazil.”

Read more Formula 1 here:

• Williams Racing announce rebranding ahead of 2026 F1 season
• Sao Paulo Grand Prix: Tensions rise ahead of final four races
• Sao Paulo Grand Prix: the latest weather report ahead of crucial sprint
• FIA confirm Cost Cap regulation breach after 2024 review
• Mexico City Grand Prix: 3 Winners & Losers
• FIA give reasoning for Lewis Hamilton’s time penalty at Mexico City Grand Prix

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Kamron Kent

Hi, I’m Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion.

I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I’ve loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.

Kamron Kent

Hi, I'm Kamron. I created ApexMotorsports.co.uk in the dying embers of the 2021 Formula 1 world championship. It allowed me freedom to write whatever I wanted to write about which was all things motorsports, my passion. I have put a lot of effort in over the years to keep this website in its best shape and I've loved seeing the brand grow consistently, month-on-month, year-on-year. My ambition is to keep watching this brand grow into a primary outlet of news for all things motorsports whilst fueling my desire to pursue a career in sports journalism, specialising in motorsports.