@HaasF1Team reveal stunning new livery for the @F1 2019 season. #F1

American outfit Rich Energy Haas F1 Team were the first to unveil their machine with a striking new black and gold livery ahead of the 2019 FIA Formula 1 World Championship season at the Royal Automobile Club (RAC) on Thursday in London.

Incorporating major title sponsor Rich Energy’s black and gold colours, the British energy drink company first announced it’s partnership with the Kannapolis-Banbury squad in October 2018, with the new 2019 livery unleashed on last year’s VF-18 in London as drivers Romain Grosjean and Kevin Magnussen, along with team principal Guenther Steiner and Rich Energy Chief Executive William Storey, pulled the covers before the distinguished guests at the prestigious RAC.

The VF-19 challenger’s design however, was posted online through the team’s official website and across various social media platforms worldwide.

Founder of Haas Automation and Rich Energy Haas F1 Team Gene Haas said: “This is the time of the season when you hope you’ve got designs right and you can be competitive straight away,”

“The new car looks distinctive, not only in terms of its color scheme, but also with the new regulations in play. Hopefully those design changes brought in for 2019 will improve the racing on-track, and more importantly give us a shot at making more of an impact at each Grand Prix.”

This will be the first time that the black and gold livery has been used since Lotus F1 Team’s contender in the 2015 season.

“It’s important that we keep progressing as a team, and this season is no different.” explained Team Principal Steiner. “Our partnership with Rich Energy is another positive example of moving forward as an organization. We’re pleased to see their colors on the VF-19, we welcome them as they join our valued partner group in utilizing Formula One as a global marketing platform.”

“While 2018 delivered our best season to-date, the year showed, sometimes sharply, that we still have areas to improve on as a team. On-track, our push for performance started early with the VF-19, our next step is to get to Spain and utilize our time there wisely to prepare for Australia.” Steiner concluded.

The simplified front wing is evident, being 200 millimetres wider and 20 mm higher with the design to allow drivers to follow each other closely and increase their chances of overtaking.

Also the rear wing has been made simpler, 20 mm higher and 100 millimetres wider to help slipstreaming and encourage closer racing.

The barge boards are re-positioned, smaller, moved forward by 100 millimetres and reduced in height by 150 mm with the objective to improve air flow from the front wing making them less aerodynamically disturbing.

Haas F1 Team who entered the sport in 2016, will be hoping to make another step forward in their new colours after enjoying great progress last season.

After debuting with two-eighth placed finishes in the World Constructors Championship, the American squad improved and emerged as the fourth-best outfit on pace.

However a series of errors meant they failed to capitalise on that advantage, but they still ended up in an improved fifth place.

The physical unveiling of the Ferrari-powered Rich Energy Haas F1 Team VF-19 will take place on Monday morning, February 18 when Formula One’s first official pre-season testing will get underway at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya in Barcelona, Spain.