Formula One will have a new logo come the 2018 season. The redesign was unveiled after the 2017 season finale in Abu Dhabi last week and is the brainchild of Liberty Media, which took control of F1 last year.
The logo replaced the old, instantly recognised ‘flying one’ that has been around for decades. The previous logo used negative space to denote ‘F1’ and speed and was often listed among the most clever brand logos in global advertising.
The top two drivers of the season, Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel, both weren’t fans of the redesigned logo. “I think the one that we already had was an iconic logo. Just imagine Ferrari changing their logo, or Mercedes changing their logo. I don’t think the new one is as iconic but maybe it will grow on us,” the 2017 champion Hamilton was quoted as saying.
“I liked the old one better,” Vettel added.
After an amazing season – a new #F1 era awaits
— Formula 1 (@F1) November 26, 2017
Our greatest races are ahead of us
#Unleash2018 pic.twitter.com/1g0KSjeVhj
And after 23 years, we say goodbye to the F1 logo today. Iconic. pic.twitter.com/yVfvz8j5Z0
— Grand Prix Diary (@GrandPrixDiary) November 26, 2017
Like Hamilton and Vettel, not too many people on social media were pleased with the new logo, to put it mildly. There were lot of snide remarks and pointed analysis about why the simple read line design logo just didn’t work. Here’s what Twitter had to say about the new F1 logo.
F1 replaces recognisable logo of more than 2 decades with one supposedly more digitally friendly. In fact F1’s new logo is an illegible smudge on Twitter pic.twitter.com/nFCyiHikNA
— Rob Harris (@RobHarris) November 27, 2017
No one seems to like the new F1 logo but it actually could have been even worse. Here are some of the proposed designs and yes, ladies and gentlemen, one of them is a straight line... https://t.co/htGheJejhH pic.twitter.com/pcQBiO1kfU
— Formula Money (@FormulaMoney) November 26, 2017
After 23 years on the #podium in poll position. We're flattered our logo still raises such passions. Look forward to seeing how it evolves.
— Carter Wong Design (@CarterWongThink) November 22, 2017
-#design #logo #rebrand #f1logo #f1 #formula1 pic.twitter.com/qwjpzSxN1o
On top is Formula 1's new logo, replacing the insignia that has been #F1's identity for 23 years. New design said to be more digital platform- and merchandise-friendly. Also, the '1' is now separate as reportedly, many couldn't see it in the outgoing emblem (?!). Whaddya think? pic.twitter.com/M6sKC1aA0s
— Amaan Ahmed (@MrAhmedSays) November 26, 2017
Behind the scenes when the new F1 logo was being designed pic.twitter.com/1K49ETdD9o
— 🏁 Dan Rigsby 🏁 (@Dan_Rigsby) November 26, 2017
Absolutely no idea where the idea for that new F1 logo came from. Absolutely not. Nope. Nothing. pic.twitter.com/IACZ6LvhGe
— Ben Hunt (@benjhunt) November 26, 2017
Horner on the new F1 logo: "I hope Niki Lauda didn’t trademark his helmet." pic.twitter.com/kTOisOdL6P
— Pablo Elizalde (@EliGP) November 27, 2017
F1 fans: we want closer racing, more unpredictable races
— Georgina (@gina_maggie) November 24, 2017
FOM: 9 COMPOUNDS! NEW LOGO!! #F1
The new #F1 logo is amazing. 😁😂✌️👊 #bathtub pic.twitter.com/v1v8gJC6TG
— NICKI THIIM (@NickiThiim) November 27, 2017
Good morning to everyone except the guy who designed the new F1 logo.
— Chris (@ChrisJohnson_F1) November 27, 2017
Worst part of the new F1 logo is some design studio probably got paid $250,000+ to create it.
— Valdudes (@Valdudes) November 26, 2017
The new #F1 logo pic.twitter.com/Rx1BdeuKSR
— Matt Gallagher (@xMattyG) November 26, 2017
The new F1 logo is misleading. It seems to suggest that the races are held on a divided highway, which may even have a level crossing. pic.twitter.com/G1HvZIIIR0
— Ramesh Srivats (@rameshsrivats) November 27, 2017
Alonso on new F1 logo... #F1 pic.twitter.com/bPKyhQvwWE
— F1Writers™ (@f1writers) November 26, 2017