n a nostalgic nod to its racing heritage, Williams Racing will debut a striking yellow engine cover in collaboration with Latin American e-commerce giant Mercado Libre at the Mexico City Grand Prix. This partnership revives a classic look that hasn’t been seen on the Williams F1 car since Alain Prost’s victorious 1993 season.
The yellow livery, which adorned Williams cars during its golden years in the 1980s and ’90s when Nelson Piquet and Nigel Mansell claimed titles, will grace the FW46 as part of a broader celebration of Mercado Libre’s August partnership with the team. Williams Commercial Director James Bower highlighted the symbolic return of the color: “Yellow livery designs hold a special place in Williams’ storied history, and it’s exciting to see it back on our cars with one of Latin America’s leading technology companies.”
Mercado Libre’s handshake logo will also feature prominently on the cars and on the race suits of Alex Albon and Franco Colapinto, who will don the vibrant new design at the Latin American Grand Prix. Additionally, Colapinto, an Argentine rising star, will honor his heritage with a tribute helmet inspired by F1 legend Carlos Reutemann, paying homage to the late Williams driver who famously missed the 1981 title by a narrow margin. The helmet design will feature Argentina’s national colors, a fitting tribute to Reutemann’s legacy in Latin America.
Mercado Libre’s Vice President of Marketing, Juan Lavista, expressed excitement over the collaboration: “We are honored to bring the yellow back to Williams. This partnership reflects our shared passion for speed and innovation, creating meaningful connections with fans across Latin America.”
As part of the celebration, Colapinto will also star in a television commercial for Mercado Libre, symbolizing the shared values of speed and reliability that define both the Williams team and the digital powerhouse.
For fans, this eye-catching yellow livery is not only a nostalgic throwback but a fresh symbol of Williams Racing’s enduring spirit, uniting racing heritage with cutting-edge innovation.
