Barbie: When motorsport wears pink

Although it is not unusual to see pink cars racing in motorsport, some have even left their mark on the competitions in which they have competed. The release of the Barbie film is an opportunity to pay tribute to them.

Indy 500, a romantic novel

Bob Sweikert – 1955

©IndyCar average

Starting from 14th position in the Indianapolis 500 race in 1955, this livery bearing the number 6 allowed Bob Sweikert to win the event. Note that at this time the race was still included in the world championship of Formula 1. She was nicknamed 'Pink Zink' in reference to the name of its owner, John S. Zink.

Pat Flaherty – 1956

©IndyCar media

Pink marked the history of the 500 Miles in the mid-50s, since the following year, it was Pat Flaherty who, starting from pole position with a livery in the colors of the previous one, reached the finish. in the lead on the American oval.

Emerson Fittipaldi – 1984

©IndyCar media

Emerson Fittipaldi appeared with a car in atypical colors at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in 1984. However, as the expression goes: there is no rose without thorns. The two-time F1 world champion was less successful, taking the checkered flag 32nd.

Pippa Mann – 2014

©IndyCar media

The last one to take part in the legendary American race with a pink car was Pippa Mann. Unfortunately, this livery brought him the worst ranking of his 6 unsuccessful attempts at Indianapolis with 23rd place.

When Formula 1 sees life in pink

Brabham BT60B – 1992

©Brabham

In 1992, Brabham opted for a pink nose on the design of its BT60B. Driven by the Belgian, Eric van de Poele, as well as the Briton, Damon Hill (replacing Giovanna Amati after 3 rounds), it marks the history of the team, by becoming the least efficient single-seater ever designed in Milton Keynes.

Qualified 26th in South Africa, Van de Poele will no longer be able to repeat such a performance this season. You will have to rely on your neighbor in the garage to achieve a time that places you on the starting grid. If he succeeds twice, he will finish no better than 11th.

BWT single-seaters

Alpine A522 ©DDPI

©DDPI

Racing Point RP20 ©DDPI

For several years, the BWT sponsor on a single-seater has been synonymous with pink. A color which has notably earned the nickname 'Mercedes Benz Rose' at the Racing Point RP20, when in 2020, the team unveiled a high-performance car, but almost similar to the Mercedes W10, which had dominated the previous season.

With this livery, Sergio Pérez found victory at the 2020 Shakir Grand Prix, which seriously strengthened his candidacy at Red Bull the following year.

When the Sponsor was added to the single-seaterAlpine, the A arrow also took part in the exercise, adopting an entirely pink livery during the first Grands Prix of the 2022 and 2023 seasons.

The name of the firm was also present on the single-seater of Anthoine Hubert, late driver of Formula 2 author of great victories in Monaco and Le Castellet.

Pink in the World Endurance Championship

The 1971 edition of 24 Hours of Le Mans welcomed the participation of an unusual Porsche. By dressing in pink, the 917 Martini Racing adopted a costume showing the cut-out quarters of a pig, which earned it the nickname “Pink Pig”.

A livery brought up to date in 2018, when to celebrate the 70th anniversary of the brand, the 911 RSR reused these colors for its participation in Le Mans in GTE Pro. It allowed Michael Christensen, Kévin Estre and Laurens Vanthoor to win.