Formula 1 Logo History: Evaluating the Design Changes
An evidence-led look at how the Formula 1 logo has changed, what those changes mean for vector artwork, and the practical limits on editing or using the files.
The essential answer
The current Formula 1 logo is the wordmark introduced for the 2018 season, replacing the previous “negative space” mark that had been in use since 1993. When people ask about the Formula 1 logo in a vector context, they are usually dealing with one of three assets: the pre-1993 emblem, the 1993–2017 mark with the hidden “1” between the F and the speed lines, or the 2018 onward wordmark. The vector-relevant distinction is simple: the modern logo exists as flat, scalable artwork built from closed paths and solid fills, while older reproductions sometimes embed raster previews or contain traced approximations of the original letterforms.
How the logo changed and what that means for editable artwork
The 1993–2017 logo is the one most often discussed in design history because of its construction. The mark used a strong italic letter F, with speed lines sweeping to the right, and the negative space between the F and the speed lines formed a numeral 1. This was a deliberate visual device: the identity communicated speed and the sport’s name without adding extra elements. For vector users, that construction matters because the hidden 1 is created by the gap between separate shapes, not by an outlined numeral. If the file is opened in an editor, the 1 only remains visible if the spacing and layering of the F and the speed lines are preserved.
The 2018 rebrand, led by Wieden+Kennedy London, replaced the negative space mark with a simpler, upright wordmark. The current logo spells “Formula 1” in a custom, angular sans-serif style, with the F and the 1 joined in a way that suggests a track or a continuous line. The documented intent was to create something that would perform better at small sizes, on digital screens, and in broadcast graphics. In practical vector terms, the newer mark is easier to work with because it is a flat, single-colour wordmark with fewer separate components. A vector file of the 2018 logo can be recoloured, scaled, or placed on solid backgrounds without the spacing problems that can break the older negative-space design.
A common assumption is that any file named .eps, .svg, or .ai contains fully editable vector paths. That is not guaranteed. A file can carry a vector extension while still containing a raster preview or an embedded bitmap image. The practical check is to open the file and inspect the structure. If selecting the logo reveals a single rectangular image rather than individual anchor points and paths, it is not truly editable vector artwork. This distinction is especially relevant for older Formula 1 marks, where reproductions of varying quality circulate.
There is also a legal and practical gap between downloading a logo file and being allowed to modify or use it. Finding the Formula 1 logo online does not grant permission to alter its artwork, redraw its letterforms, or use the fonts and trademark in a new product. Even a technically perfect vector file remains protected by trademark and licensing rules. For a designer evaluating the history of the mark, the sensible position is to treat official branding as reference material for study, not as a source file for unauthorised edits.
A direct assessment of the design changes shows a clear vector-friendly progression. The 1993 mark was clever but structurally delicate because its meaning relied on negative space. The 2018 mark is more robust because its meaning is carried by the letterforms themselves. For practical vector use, the current logo is the more forgiving asset: it survives scaling, reflow, and colour changes with fewer risks to its identity.