Key Highlights
- Red Bull Racing unveiled a throwback blue livery for their RB22 car in Detroit.
- The new season marks the team’s debut manufacturing of their own engine with Ford.
- New driver Isack Hadjar will join Max Verstappen as his teammate.
- Team principal Laurent Mekies expects to be trailing rivals at the start of the 2026 season.
Red Bull Racing’s New Livery and Season Launch in Detroit
Red Bull Racing has made a bold statement ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season with their unveiling of a throwback blue livery for the RB22 car at a launch event held in Detroit on Thursday. This move not only pays homage to the team’s debut F1 look but also signals significant changes within the sport and the team itself.
Return to Classic Livery
The blue livery, which marks “a return to the gloss finish first seen when the team made its debut back in 2005,” is a nod to Red Bull’s rich history in Formula 1. This classic look aims to sharpen reflections, boost contrast under lights, and create a more premium appearance at high speeds.
New Era with Ford
This season marks a new era for Red Bull Racing as they will manufacture their own engine in collaboration with US car giant Ford. This partnership is a defining moment for the team, as it signifies the official race debut of Red Bull Ford Powertrains, which means both the car and power unit will be produced under the same roof for the first time.
Team Changes and Challenges Ahead
Max Verstappen, who was in attendance, prepares to regain the drivers’ title after having his streak of four consecutive world championships ended by McLaren’s Lando Norris last year. He will have a new teammate in Isack Hadjar, a French 21-year-old who has impressed with Racing Bulls during his rookie campaign.
Team principal Laurent Mekies, embarking on his first full campaign at the helm of the team, acknowledges that they are likely to trail their rivals at the start of the season. He says, “We know it’s going to come with some difficulties.
We know we are going to have quite a few sleepless nights and a few headaches, but please bear with us for the first few months.” Mekies adds, “Nobody underestimates the size of the mountain that we have to climb. It’s the sort of challenge we all want to be associated with, and hopefully eventually we will come out on top.”
Pre-Season Testing and Australian Grand Prix
The introduction of new regulations means there is a robust schedule of pre-season testing. The first behind-closed-doors event in Barcelona takes place from January 26-30, followed by two tests in Bahrain from February 11-13 and February 18-20. The season then kicks off with the Australian Grand Prix on March 6-8.
Mekies believes that despite their challenges, Red Bull Racing can still compete near the battle for titles.
He states, “You have seen last year on a season that as the last year of a regulations cycle, you could still see how much the team could do through the season in terms of development. Well take that for 2026 multiplied by three or four in terms of development rate, certainly for us in terms of how much we have to learn.” The first practice sessions are scheduled for Friday, March 6, with qualifying on Saturday and the opening race on Sunday.
Red Bull Racing’s 2026 season launch is a significant milestone as they navigate new regulations and internal changes. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how well the team adapts in their first full year of producing their own engine alongside Ford.
