F1
Audi's title sponsor criticizes Ferrari: "How can you put blue on a red car?"
© Audi AG
As Audi prepares to unveil the final livery of its R26 this Tuesday, the German manufacturer's team's title sponsor, Revolut, will also make its debut in the world of motorsports. Formula 1In an interview with Business of Sport, Antoine Le Nel, marketing director of the online bank, explained the reasons for his brand's partnership with Audi. The Frenchman indicated that the four-ring brand was his company's first choice.
“Audi very quickly became our first choice. We aligned ourselves very quickly. First of all, from the brand's point of view, if we take the example of Audi, it is a high-end brand, but accessible. Classic Ferrari for sale is very high-end, Aston Martin is very high-end, McLaren "It's very high-end, etc., but can you really identify with Ferrari? It's very different. Audi, on the other hand, is truly accessible: it's accessible luxury in many ways."
Ferrari lagging behind, McLaren the star pupil, according to Le Nel
While Audi's livery remains a mystery, aside from a design sketch presented late last year, Le Nel believes that graphic consistency between Audi and Revolut's branding will be crucial. He argues that Ferrari overlooked this consistency when signing the partnership with tech giant Hewlett-Packard in 2024.
"Brand identity is very important.", he added. “At Revolut, we place great importance on design, user experience, and so on, and it has to be consistent with our identity. Without meaning to offend anyone, I think what HP and Ferrari did to their cars isn't good from a design perspective. How can you put blue on a red car? It's not right.”
While Ferrari is not in favor with Revolut's marketing director, McLaren has, in his opinion, handled the arrival of Mastercard, its new title sponsor, better: “I want to congratulate Mastercard and McLaren, because I think it’s an excellent brand strategy. I’m also thinking of Chrome [Google], for what they’ve done with the wheels, etc. So I think there are brands out there doing a really good job and getting excellent results.”
There's no doubt that the unveiling of the final livery of the Audi R26 in Berlin on January 20th will be closely watched, partly to see if Antoine Le Nel's claims about the actual race car hold true. Audi has already run a first version of the car during a shakedown at the Barcelona circuit, ahead of the private tests scheduled for the end of the month.
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marcpradier@orange.fr
19/01/2026 at 02:41 a.m.
What arrogance! He clearly doesn't know automotive history, especially Ferrari, and when you Google him he sounds more like a Silicon Valley geek than Slimane, Lagerfeld or Luca di Meo.
Yves-Henri RANDIER
19/01/2026 at 01:32 a.m.
@Seb93971: Well done and thank you for this additional information... but I doubt the Marketing Director of Revolut reads this to expand his knowledge of Ferrari! The Azzurro La Plata blue is indeed beautiful, and the Scuderia did indeed use it again at Miami 2024, while also selling merchandise related to the event at frankly exorbitant prices!
Seb93971
19/01/2026 at 05:37 a.m.
The History of Blue at Ferrari: The history of the color blue at Ferrari is marked by iconic episodes, although red remains the emblematic color of the Italian brand. Historical Origins and Exceptions: Traditionally, Italian racing cars, including Ferrari, sported red (Rosso Corsa) as their national color. However, there are notable exceptions where blue played a significant role. In 1964, following a conflict between Enzo Ferrari and the Italian Motorsport Federation, the Scuderia raced under the colors of the North American Racing Team (NART) in the last two races of the season (United States and Mexico). The cars were then painted blue and white, and it was in this livery that John Surtees won the Formula 1 World Championship, becoming the only Ferrari driver to win the World Championship in a non-red car. The Azzurro La Plata blue, in particular, dates back to the Argentine racing teams of the 1950s and was worn by drivers like Alberto Ascari, who believed the shade brought him luck. Niki Lauda also sported a blue racing suit during his first year with Ferrari. Symbolism and Heritage: Blue has also been used for the suits of drivers and mechanics, and some private or special Ferraris have adopted shades of blue, such as Azzurro Dino or Azzurro La Plata, as a tribute to key figures or moments in the brand's history. Recently, Ferrari has paid homage to this heritage by using blue liveries at special Grands Prix, such as in Miami in 2024, celebrating 60 years of the NART era. Conclusion: Blue at Ferrari, although less prevalent than red, carries a rich history and strong symbolism, linked to victories, legendary drivers, and moments of rebellion or tribute. Goodbye sir, and go revise your history.
Leo L. dos Santos
18/01/2026 at 11:37 a.m.
O Azul is part of the History of Ferrari, it is a patético um executive of the falando asneira.
Alain Féguenne (🇱🇺 Luxembourg)
18/01/2026 at 06:54 a.m.
I completely agree with you, Yves-Henri. Before criticizing, let's see the official presentation of the car in Berlin. Just a few more hours of patience… 😎👍
Yves-Henri RANDIER
18/01/2026 at 06:34 a.m.
To each their own... Let's wait and see the Audi R26 to judge its livery and see if this marketer knows what he's talking about!