Red Bull and 1Password Partner for Special F1 Academy Livery at Canadian GP
Formula 1 partnerships are evolving beyond traditional trackside branding, with collaborations increasingly extending into feeder series like F1 Academy. A recent example is the Red Bull Racing partnership with cybersecurity firm 1Password, which saw a unique livery unveiled for F1 Academy driver Alisha Palmowski ahead of the Canadian Grand Prix weekend.
The partnership, initially announced for the main Red Bull Racing team as official cybersecurity partner, includes support for the F1 Academy car competing under the Red Bull banner. For the Canadian rounds of the all-female racing series, held alongside the Formula 1 event in Montreal, Palmowski's Campos-run car sports a special one-off design.
The bespoke livery was created by Canadian artist Kirsten McCrea and unveiled at an event in Toronto prior to the Montreal races. This initiative serves multiple purposes: it connects an emerging female artist with the F1 Academy platform, celebrates Canadian culture – particularly relevant as 1Password is a Toronto-based company – and highlights the expanding scope of motorsport sponsorships.
Red Bull representatives indicated that such collaborations are designed not only to showcase female talent on track but also to engage more female fans with motorsport. The focus is consistently on initiatives that help advance the sport, reach a wider audience, and provide opportunities to female talent, both in racing and related creative fields like art.
1Password's involvement goes beyond financial sponsorship. The company provides its cybersecurity services to Palmowski, securing her digital information, including credentials and race notes, allowing her to concentrate on her racing performance. The firm emphasized that supporting Palmowski is about fostering inclusion and demonstrating to young women that there are accessible paths within motorsport and technology.
For 1Password, a company with strong Canadian roots, celebrating this partnership moment in Toronto held particular significance. The Canadian Grand Prix weekend offered an ideal global stage to showcase female excellence and highlight the synergy between design, sport, and technology.
Special liveries have become a popular feature in Formula 1, and Red Bull has often embraced creative designs. However, the team maintains that while allowing artistic interpretation and storytelling, the core elements of their established branding must remain recognisable on track. This specific F1 Academy livery is viewed as a contemporary take on the Red Bull identity, incorporating distinctive artistic elements while retaining key branding.
Alisha Palmowski, currently competing in her debut F1 Academy season, has shown promising form, including a win in the opening round in Shanghai. She sits fourth in the championship standings, demonstrating the potential the series aims to nurture and showcase through initiatives like this unique Canadian GP livery collaboration.
The partnership between Red Bull and 1Password for the F1 Academy car exemplifies how modern motorsport sponsorships are becoming more integrated and purposeful, leveraging platforms like F1 Academy to promote talent, engage communities, and extend brand messaging beyond the primary Formula 1 championship.