Red Bull introduced a throwback blue livery for their 2026 Formula 1 car at a launch event held in Detroit, signaling the start of a new chapter as the team prepares for Max Verstappen‘s 2026 season. The RB22 launch marked the first time Red Bull are producing their own power unit in partnership with Ford, coinciding with sweeping new regulations for engines and chassis.
The launch took place at the Detroit headquarters of Red Bull’s technical partner Ford, with both Red Bull and their junior outfit Racing Bulls the first teams to reveal their 2026 cars. For the first time since Red Bull joined F1 in 2005, they are integrating car and power unit development under one roof, marking a significant step in controlling their competitive destiny.
Max Verstappen Returns with New Teammate for Title Challenge
Max Verstappen, fresh from a season disrupted by McLaren’s Lando Norris ending his streak of four consecutive world championships, was present at the launch. Verstappen aims to reclaim the drivers’ title in what promises to be a challenging campaign under new technical and team leadership. French rookie Isack Hadjar, 21, joins the senior lineup after an impressive debut season with the junior team, Racing Bulls.
The RB22’s Nostalgic Design Reflects Red Bull’s Origins
Red Bull described the RB22’s livery as a nod to the gloss finish seen during the team’s inaugural F1 season in 2005. The retro blue paint scheme revisits a more classic Red Bull Racing aesthetic, enhancing reflective surfaces and deepening contrasts under track lighting to highlight the team’s heritage and premium image.
“a return to the gloss finish first seen when the team made its debut back in 2005.” – Red Bull Team Statement
“To acknowledge this bold move, the RB22 will wear a livery inspired by Red Bull’s original look in F1. It harks back to a more classic Red Bull Racing presence, sharpening reflections, boosting contrast under the lights and making heritage elements of the new livery feel richer and more premium at speed.” – Red Bull Team Statement
Team Principal Laurent Mekies Cautious but Confident About Challenges Ahead
Laurent Mekies, who took over as Red Bull team principal after Christian Horner’s mid-2025 departure, addressed the team’s prospects, warning fans and stakeholders to expect initial struggles as Red Bull adapts to in-house engine manufacturing and revised regulations.
He acknowledged the magnitude of the challenge ahead but expressed confidence in the team’s capabilities and partnerships, including the collaboration with Ford that supports this technical evolution.
“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.” – Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
“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.” – Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
“I think it would be naive, to say the least, for us to think that yes, we have done everything from zero – with great support from Ford – and then we turn up at the first race and we are the same level as people that have been doing it for many years.” – Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
“It’s not going to be like that. We are going to be trailing them, we are going to be in an incredibly high development rate season, both on the chassis side and on the power unit side.” – Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
“We believe in our people, and therefore the fact that we’ve put together what we believe is an extremely strong team with extremely strong partners.” – Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
Red Bull ended the 2025 season strongly, with Verstappen winning six of the last nine races and closing the gap to Norris to just two points. Mekies stressed that this development momentum will accelerate in 2026.
“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. So we take it step by step but with he right level of aggressiveness.” – Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Team Principal
Organizational Changes Mark the Start of a New Era for Red Bull
Alongside technical advancements, Red Bull enters 2026 with major leadership changes. This will be the first season without Christian Horner as team principal or Dr Helmut Marko, the long-time motorsport advisor. Horner was removed in July 2025 amid team performance issues and internal struggles over the direction of the Milton Keynes squad, with Marko departing at the end of the year.
Additionally, legendary car designer Adrian Newey’s exit from the team was confirmed in May 2024, making the RB22 the first car developed without his involvement. Mekies has already impacted team dynamics positively, helping calm tensions and supporting Verstappen’s return to form.
Given these transitions and the introduction of a new power unit, Red Bull faces uncertainty about their ability to challenge for titles immediately. A key concern is retaining Verstappen’s confidence as the team navigates a potentially difficult development period.
Schedule for Testing and Season Start
The 2026 Formula 1 calendar begins with three pre-season testing events to adapt to the new regulations. Testing will start with a closed session in Barcelona from January 26-30, followed by two more tests in Bahrain on February 11-13 and 18-20. These sessions will allow teams to understand and optimize their cars ahead of the season.
The first race weekend will be held in Melbourne for the Australian Grand Prix from March 6-8, with practice sessions on Friday, qualifying on Saturday, and the race on Sunday.
