Red Bull presents the new RB22 in Detroit for the 2026 Formula 1 season with a Ford engine

Red Bull officially presented this Friday, at Detroit, in the Estados Unidos, the RB22, a single-seater that the team will use in the 2026 season of Honda. The choice of the North American city as the venue for the event pays homage to the founding of the engine manufacturer, which returns to the highest category of motorsport after a hiatus of more than two decades.

The new visual design maintains the brand’s traditional identity, but introduces elements that highlight the integration with the new American supplier. The characteristic dark blue predominates on the bodywork, receiving brighter finishes and details that refer to the classic Ford logo. Max Verstappen, four-time world champion, and the young Frenchman Isack Hadjar were responsible for revealing the vehicle that will seek to regain absolute leadership in the constructors’ championship.

• Presentation held at Detroit, global headquarters of Ford.
• Debut of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains engine under the new regulations.
• Promotion of Isack Hadjar as main pilot alongside Verstappen.
• Painting with metallic blue tones and modernized finish.

You thought it was gonna be the same livery, didn’t you? 😜

🎨@simonrdesigns#F1||#RedBullRacing pic.twitter.com/K0prVkTrWV

—Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing)January 16, 2026

Ford’s strategic return to the category grid

The partnership between Red Bull and Ford symbolizes one of the most significant movements in the sports and technology market in the coming years. The American manufacturer has not supplied engines for the Fórmula 1 since 2004, when it ended its activities with the Jaguar, and now returns focused on the electrification of new power units.

This joint project aims to take advantage of the new technical regulation that requires greater dependence on electrical energy in hybrid systems. The Milton Keynes structure worked in concert with the Detroit engineers to ensure that the RB22 was born with total integration between chassis and engine, avoiding aerodynamic losses common in supplier transitions.

Structural changes and promotion of new talents in the team

Red Bull opted for a major renewal of its driver roster to accompany the arrival of the new car this season. Isack Hadjar, who stood out in 2025 at Racing Bulls, takes over from Yuki Tsunoda, consolidating the academy’s policy of using the Austrian team’s young talents.

The French driver expressed enthusiasm during the ceremony, citing the inspiration in Sebastian Vettel to reach the starting position in the main team. Hadjar surpassed the performance of its predecessor last year and will now have the challenge of working alongside Max Verstappen, who seeks to expand their record of world titles with the new regulations.

Technical and aesthetic details of the RB22 model

The RB22’s design focuses on the aerodynamic efficiency required by the 2026 rules, featuring more fluid lines and an optimized cooling system. Apesar To maintain the team’s visual DNA, the paint finish was changed to reflect the new technological identity, using varnishes that reduce the overall weight of the set.

Engineers highlighted that every component of the car has been revised to support the immediate torque of the new batteries. Red Bull believes that the stability of the design, combined with internal innovations, will allow for faster adaptation to high-speed circuits.

• Chassis development focused on drag reduction.
• Vertical integration of the power unit Ford.
• Use of state-of-the-art composite materials in the rear wing.
• Suspension system adapted for new 18-inch tires.

Test schedule on Barcelona and Sakhir

The preparation for the official debut on the track already has defined dates and will begin this month on the European continent. Entre On January 26th and 30th, the Catalunha circuit, in Barcelona, will host the first pre-season test, where the RB22 will do its first timed kilometers under strict supervision by technicians.

After this initial data collection stage, teams will move to Bahrein in February for final fine-tuning sessions. Esses training is essential to validate the reliability of the Ford engine before the opening of the World Cup, ensuring that energy recovery systems work in extreme heat conditions.

Competitive perspective for the unprecedented technical cycle

Red Bull begins this cycle with the clear objective of surpassing the third place achieved in last season’s constructors’ championship. The team is banking on continuing Max Verstappen’s talent to lead technical development while Isack Hadjar adapts to the pressure of racing in a top team.

The transition from Honda to Ford is seen internally as the biggest logistical challenge in the brand’s history at

Painting analysis and renewed visual identity

The aesthetics of the RB22 were praised by Verstappen, who highlighted the modernity of the lines applied to the Red Bull logo over the new blue. The chosen shade seeks to align the energy drinks team’s marketing with the corporate sobriety of Ford, creating a look that stands out under the artificial lights of night races.

Unlike previous years where matte predominated, the Red Bull opted for an intense shine that helps highlight the team’s global sponsors. Essa change is not just visual, but is also part of a study on the thermal resistance of the body surface at high speeds.