Ranking the 2018 Formula 1 liveries

With the Australian Grand Prix coming up later this month, I often think about how I would trade an arm and a leg for even one lap in any of these cars.

However, let's be real, I definitely want a go in some of these cars more than others. 2018 is a pretty good looking season in terms of liveries, but obviously, because Formula 1 is all about competition, we have to rank them!

#10 Haas

This is no real surprise. The Haas F1 team have been near the bottom of Formula 1 in almost every possible way since their debut in 2016. While the team has definitely been making strides towards improving, and no doubt has its own charm that captivates some fans, both American and otherwise.

Their livery this year is just as uninspired as the last 2 years. The grey-white and red is an iconic color scheme in Stateside racing, however, applied to an F1 livery it just doesn't sit that well. Acting as quite an allegory for the success of F1 in The United States. It has improved from last year, but we're talking about the most beautiful, iconic cars in the world, and Haas just doesn't cut it.

#9 Williams

Don't get me wrong, it's not a bad looking car by any means. In the same way that Vanilla isn't a bad tasting flavor. I for one, am slightly glad that next year Williams will be forced to change up their livery style as Martini are dropping out as a sponsor.

The fact is, their 2018 livery is just as safe and bland as their last few. It isn't striking at all, and while no one lost their job over this, I feel it's safe to say that no one is getting any raises either. It is a shame as Williams's young driver line-up and the reintroduction of Robert Kubica into F1 has ignited some interest in the team. Yet, they haven't used any of this as inspiration to come up with a better livery.

#8 Force India

I did love the brilliant pink when it came out last year. But that's just it, Force India haven't moved forward the slightest with the introduction of their 2018 livery. The pink still looks pleasant, but on a Formula 1 car, pleasant only goes so far. The car is quite indistinguishable from last year's, much like Williams's car.

If anything, it looks slightly less impressive with a more block-ish color palette and less variation in texture. More importantly, the other liveries have simply evolved past the VJM11 such that being pink isn't enough to push Force India to the top of the list.

#7 Mercedes

Mercedes are lucky that they have such a striking silver color scheme. If it wasn't for that, their ever unchanging set of liveries would be the least impressive in all of Formula 1. The silver with light blue streaks is still iconic and the addition of a slight black tint in certain areas pushes Mercedes just above the Force India.

However, Mercedes are still relegated to the bottom half of the list due to their relative lack of creativity compared to some of the other liveries out there. They may be champions, and although their livery does invoke the essence of platinum, it just can't hang with the more poignant and visually grabbing liveries of this season.

#6 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing

2018 Aston Martin Red Bull Racing F1 Car

I Literally cannot tell this car apart from any other Red Bull car since 2008. Now don't get me wrong, the Red Bull color scheme means the cars always look pretty fantastic. However, at a certain point, it does get a little old. It's not even like Red Bull had no inspiration, as they just acquired a new partner in Aston Martin.

The classic Yellow, Red and Blue are captivating as always, but there is just something more to be desired. Red Bull need to up their game in the coming years in order to stay fresh. What's so frustrating is that they teased us with the inspirational, jaw-dropping testing livery that would undoubtedly have perched the top of this list had it stayed around. Serious case of blue bulls.

#5 Alfa Romeo Sauber

The first officially revealed livery of 2018, the newly branded Alfa Romeo Sauber kicked off the year with a beautiful bang. Shedding their old dull and uninspired blue and white combo, Sauber completely embraced the addition of Alfa Romeo to their ranks. Taking on the bold Rossa Corsa red that evokes images of classic Alfa Romeo F1 cars, this Sauber is something to behold.

A sleek design with just a touch of fire at the back perfectly encapsulates the new interest breathed into the team by the acquisition of Charles LeClerc and of Alfa Romeo as a partner. (Take notes, Williams.) It's clean and it's simplicity at its finest. At least now when Sauber cars are seen under a blue flag, they will be nice to look at.

#4 Ferrari

Solid and stunning as always. For the most part, Ferrari always have a beautiful F1 car, it's just hard to go wrong with such an iconic color scheme. This year's car is no different, adding to the evolution of last year, with a nice dollop of red. The car looks just as curvaceous and scintillating as ever. Even the halo has been incorporated well, seamlessly bearing the prancing horse crest as if it was always there.

As a Ferrari fan, I have had to put my biases aside for this list. Therefore, no matter how much I love that red and gold, it doesn't have the innovation to be pushed to the very top of the table.

#3 Toro Rosso

Toro Rosso may be Red Bull's junior team, however, that certainly does not apply when it comes to liveries. The electric silver, red and blue combo that Toro Rosso always sports is amped up, even more, this year as Honda takes its place as the engine provider for the Scuderia.

The silver seems to shine even more than it has done in previous years, hopefully, the addition of Honda aids their performance just as much as it has aided their livery. While I may seem like a hypocrite as Toro Rosso haven't changed much either like I said about Williams and Force India, but the unique combo that Toro Rosso sport every year is simply still just as effective.

#2 Renault

How can you not love this? The dynamic black and yellow explosion that the Renault team has been sporting just gets better every year. Looking like a shadow from some angles and a golden ray from others, Renault Sport's design team may have just peaked.

The combination with Pirelli's yellow and black tires completes the car like no other teams livery. But to be honest you could put extra large donuts on the side of this beauty and it would still look just as sleek and striking. Viva La France is all I have to say in summary!

#1 McLaren

If you want your car to look good, get a Renault engine. Kidding aside, the 2018 McLaren livery goes back to basics and revives the phenomenal papaya orange that is so congruous with McLaren's success. Inspired by Fernando's 2017 Indy 500 livery, which in and of itself was inspired by past McLaren liveries, the 2018 car is so awe-inspiring as it hopefully signals the resurrection of the teams winning ways.

The bold blue accents just elevate this design, even more, this car even makes the Halo seem like it's just supposed to be there. Seeing such a gorgeous livery as this on the gravel will be painful so I sincerely hope that the partnership with Renault results in as amazing a season as this livery is.

Edited by Tanya Rudra