The worlds of fashion and motorsport collided when AlphaTauri made history as the first Formula 1 team to launch its new livery during New York Fashion Week.
Rookie driver Nyck De Vries joked that he “felt more like a model than a racing driver” while in the Big Apple for the Italian team’s 2023 season launch Saturday.
“AlphaTauri has just launched their new clothing collection [so] it’s been a lot of fashion over the past few days,” he told Page Six ahead of the show, held at the Appel Room in Lincoln Center.
“Formula 1 has grown a lot in the US over the past five years, so to accomplish this collaboration between F1 and New York Fashion Week is very unique. It’s something we wouldn’t have dared to believe even a few years ago.”
De Vries, 28, and his teammate Yuki Tsunoda wore sweaters and trousers from the brand’s fall 2023 collection, while models donned bomber jackets, winter coats and ski masks.
The presentation marked the second Formula 1 livery launch held in New York, following Red Bull’s highly produced event earlier this month.
Long-time AlphaTauri boss Franz Tost said his team’s event was “the most exciting presentation” of all the Formula 1 teams — at least “so far.”
“Without Fashion Week we would not be here in New York,” he told us.
“In correlation with NYFW, AlphaTauri decided to come up with the presentation of the new livery … it’s something extraordinary.”
The stylish unveiling revealed the AT04 car has maintained its classic blue-and-white color scheme, while adding red accents courtesy of new principal partner Orlen.
Japanese racer Tsunoda, 22, will drive for the team for a third successive season, while De Vries is making his Formula 1 debut after an impressive performance at the 2022 Italian Grand Prix.
The 2023 Formula 1 season kicks off with the Bahrain Grand Prix on March 5.