What’s truly striking about racing cars is the rainbow of liveries they’ve sported over the years – each one packed with history and character but few liveries are as instantly recognisable as the Martini Livery.
Its distinctive stripes in contrasting colours – dark blue, light blue, and red against a white or silver backdrop – make the Martini Livery a visual knockout that has earned a permanent place in our collective memory. Few designs can rival it.
It is an iconic design that is more than just a look – it’s a legacy. To learn more about its rich history, the most unforgettable cars adorning the Martini livery and the racers that made it all happen continue reading… You won’t regret it!
What is Martini Livery?
It all began with the Italian spirits company, Martini & Rossi seeking to increase its brand visibility by entering the world of motorsport.
Since its inception, the Martini Livery has adorned an arsenal of high performance vehicles including sports cars, rally cars, Formula One cars, and even powerboats.
The design features dark blue, light blue, and red stripes laid over a white or grey base – it is a design that quickly set Martini Racing apart.
The Design Evolution of Martini Livery
While the Martini Livery design has evolved over the years, its core elements – the stand out racing colours and stripes – have remained.
Initially, the livery was a minimalist yet striking design with the classic dark blue, light blue, and red stripes on a white backdrop. But as car models evolved, the Martini Livery adapted to whatever car it was applied to, bending and twisting to match the curves and lines of the car design.
What is the History of Martini Livery?
The history of Martini Livery dates back to 1968 when Martini & Rossi went from cocktail ingredient to entering the world of motorsport sponsorship.
It’s storied history began in 1968 at Hockheim, initially without the iconic stripes we know today, rather small letterings marking their sponsorship. Martini Racing was then formed to enter two Porsche 907 in several motorsport races to back up the factory effort.
The iconic stripes first appeared on the Porsche 917 which graced the tracks at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1971. This appearance was the birth of the classic Martini Racing livery and proved to be a real success, with the team obtaining first place at record speed. This successful partnership with Porsche continued, with notable wins in Le Mans again in 1976 and 1977, with Porsche 936.
Since its inception, the bold Martini Livery has not only featured in Le Mans races but also across key compeitions in rallying, Formula 1 and even powerboat racing!
The Journey of Martini Livery
Rallying
Martini Racing first entered the world of rallying with their friends Porsche in 1978, competing in the East African Safari Classic Rally, known to many as the toughest rally of all. Roland Kussmaul and Jürgen Barth each drove the Porsche 911 SC. Here the team managed to be the only team to get across the finish line and finished second and fourth. Despite these positions, Porsche did not continue the project.
But their involvement in rallying did not stop there. From 1982 to 1992, Martini Racing partnered with Lancia, a partnership that not only achieved remarkable results on the track but left a mark in the history of rallying.
The sponsorship began with the Group B Lancia 037, a car that later won the manufacturers’ title in the 1983 World Rally Championship, beating more advanced competitors. This sponsorship later expanded to other cars including the Group B Lancia Delta S4, a car that had significant victories, including the 1985 RAC Rally and the 1986 Monte Carlo Rally and the Group A Lancia Delta Integrale, an outstanding car that won six consecutive manufacturers’ titles and four drivers’ titles.
Martini Racing later left the World Rally Championship and never returned.
Formula 1
In 1972, Martini Livery made its entrance into Formula 1, with Tecno. However due to the car being uncompetitive Martini withdrew Formula 1 at the end of the season.
They returned full time in 1975, with Martini sponsoring the Brabham team. Here the Martini Livery featured on the Brabham BT45 and BT45B models. During this time, Carlos Reutemann, Carlos Pace, Hans-Joachim Stuck and John Watson all drove for the Brabham team.
Martini later moved to sponsoring team Lotus in 1979. Due to the team not winning once that season, this sponsorship was short and led to Martini Racing withdrawing from Formula 1.
But not to worry, Martini Racing returned to the tracks more than 30 years later, as the title sponsor for the Williams Formula 1 team. From 2014 to 2018, the team was known as Williams Martini Racing, showcasing a sleek and contemporary interpretation of the classic Martini Livery on their Formula 1 cars.
Powerboat Racing
A surprising move came about in 1975 and 1976, when Martini Racing sponsored Carlo Bonomi and Cesare Fiorio’s powerboats in the Powerboat World Championships. Each of these white boats were decked out in the classic Martini livery.
This involvement in powerboat racing continued until 2014.
Limited Edition Road Cars
Beyond the track, the Martini Livery has been revived on a select few high-performance road cars, masterfully designed to celebrate Martini Racing’s most glorious moments and anniverseries.
These masterpieces have left collectors and car enthusiasts spellbound, making them highly-sought after.
Custom Builds and Restorations
Beyond factory-produced cars, many car enthusiasts have been inspired by the Martini Livery, so much so, that they have customised their own vehicles. As a result, cars spanning decades and makes – from classic Porsches to modern supercars – have been embellished with the Martini Livery.
What Models Have the Martini Livery?
Brabham BT44, BT45, and the Williams FW36 are notable models in Formula 1. Rallying enthusiasts will know the Lancia LC2 and the iconic, Lancia Delta Integrale, a legendary rally car in the World Rally Championship.
Porsche’s partnership with the Martini livery has yielded some truly unforgettable designs, from the well-known 917 to the dominant 935, and from the track-tamer 911 RSR to the cutting-edge 918 Spyder.
Ford and Alfa Romeo are also a couple of big names that have flaunted the iconic Martini Racing stripes on their speedy racing cars and sleek road cars.
The Most Memorable Cars with Martini Livery
Several cars stand out as the most memorable cars with Martini Livery.
The Le Mans 1971 record breaker, Porsche 917 is a prime example. Not to mention the Lancia Delta Integrale, an iconic model that from 1987 to 1992 won the Constructors’ Championships six times in a row. And more recently Formula 1 the Williams FW37 which took fans back in time with the design.
Martini Livery
The Martini Livery is a design that has stood the test of time. With its rich history, striking design, and connections with legendary racing teams and drivers, the Martini Livery has not only become one of the most recognisable designs in the world of motorsport but it has become a symbol of speed, style, and success. It’s one you will not forget!
