At first glance, a cybersecurity company and a Formula racing series seem worlds apart. One protects data, the other burns rubber. Then, you look closer, through the lens of progress and everything clicks into place: high stakes, high speed, and a desperate mission to break down barriers that were never meant to be permanent.
In the heart of Downtown Toronto, just steps from 1Password’s headquarters, Red Bull Racing and their official cybersecurity partner unveiled a striking new livery for the all-female F1 Academy grid. Set to be driven by British talent Alisha Palmowski over the Canadian Grand Prix weekend, the car wears its identity with pride. The design is bold yet clean—a red and blue color palette that nods to the Canadian flag and the spirit of Quebec, where the upcoming race takes place on the legendary Gilles Villeneuve circuit.
The Partnership
“The thing that really appealed to me was that it extended past the Oracle Red Bull Racing team and also included Alisha’s team,” said Jeannie De Guzman, Chief Operating Officer of 1Password.
De Guzman highlighted how both motorsport and cybersecurity have long been male-dominated spaces—and how this collaboration aims to push beyond that.
“It really sparked something in me…we’re aligned on being high performers, we’re aligned on winning, but we’re also aligned on breaking down the barriers. And I think the fact that it hits that trifecta was really important for us.”
After a wildcard entry in F1 Academy in 2024, this is Alisha Palmowski’s first full campaign in the series. “I think it just really shows their commitment and belief in the series,” said the Briton.
“The whole design in general is a celebration,” said Palmowski.
The Livery
The livery itself is more than just an aesthetic, wrapped in a narrative with every motif carefully chosen to reflect themes of growth, motion, and impact. To bring that story to life, 1Password partnered with Canadian artist Kirsten McCrea, known for her bold, vibrant style.
“I just really, really respect what Alisha is doing, and I really wanted the car to mirror her spirit and to celebrate how much she’s defining industry conventions and how she’s doing it on her own terms,” said McCrea.
Working closely with 1Password’s Senior Creative Director, Jon Setzen, McCrea created a design that fully encapsulate the brand’s aim whilst still staying true to her bold artistic style.
The livery features a pattern of stylized dandelion seeds in motion radiating from behind the driver. The motif takes inspiration from the iconic Expo 67 logo and represents ambition and ideas taking flight. Ripples pour from the back wheel to represent how one woman can set powerful change in motion.
For Palmowski, the symbolism is also deeply personal.
She said, “There’s been so much to get used to [at F1 Academy], so many new tracks, new team and I think each of these dandelion seeds represents my growth and all the learnings that I’ve taken and all my gains in confidence.”
“This car is by far the most interesting surface I’ve ever been asked to put my work on, and it was a challenge to think about the shape of it,” added McCrea. “I’m really excited with how it turned out…I just really, really appreciate how much creative freedom they [1Password] gave me.”
“It’s unapologetically funky and it sticks out and that’s the beauty of it,” said De Guzman.
Not Just Another Moment
Barriers don’t fall overnight. They erode slowly, sometimes over generations, chipped away by belief. The dream of seeing a female driver at the pinnacle of motorsport still burns bright. And now, it’s being fuelled with intention.
“I think what I want young girls to realize watching me, if I’m an inspiration, is that we absolutely have equal opportunity to males,” said Alisha Palmowski. “And we deserve to be here.”
That commitment is echoed by 1Password’s mission.
“Creating opportunities for the next generation, doubling down on innovation—which, as a cybersecurity company, we care deeply about, and which motorsport cares deeply about too—I think there’s so much crossover that it makes a ton of sense,” said De Guzman.
But this isn’t charity, and it’s not a shortcut.
“F1 Academy is by no means a free ticket or a parachute for females to make that step,” Palmowski added. “It’s simply a stepping stone on our journey—to get the opportunity to work with Formula 1 teams, to see how they operate at the pinnacle of the sport, and to develop ourselves as drivers.”
This isn’t just about one driver or one season. It’s about building something that lasts.
