Red Bull unveils retro RB22 in Detroit: Verstappen excited and Ford returns

Red Bull Racing Unveils the RB22 with Retro Design for the 2026 Formula 1 Season

Detroit, Ford’s emblematic city, was the chosen setting by Red Bull Racing to present the new design of the RB22, the single-seater with which it will compete in the 2026 Formula One season. The design stands out for a striking retro-style bright blue, a tribute to the Red Bulls of the early 2010s. The event featured the stellar presence of four-time world champion Max Verstappen, who expressed his satisfaction with the team’s new look. Also present was the young French driver Isack Hadjar, who will make his debut in the top category of motorsport.

It’s much better. I’d been asking for it. I like the shine, I like the blue, it’s my favorite color. I also like the edges of the Red Bull logo, they’re back. It looks much fresher.
Max Verstappen

Verstappen, Formula One champion in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024, and runner-up in 2025, also praised the color change in the team’s uniforms, which now sport a blue tone that evokes Ford’s historical colors. Choosing Detroit as the event’s location is no coincidence. It’s due to Ford’s return to Formula One as a technical and brand partner of Red Bull for the new power unit, in preparation for the revolutionary 2026 season, which will begin in March at the Australian Grand Prix.

125 years ago, my great-grandfather Henry Ford won a race here in Detroit, which helped drive the creation of Ford Motor Company. Tonight we honor that legacy by celebrating our return to the highest level of motorsport.
William Clay Ford Jr.

The 2026 season will mark a profound transformation in Formula One, with smaller and lighter single-seaters, new hybrid engines with a greater electrical component and active aerodynamics, changes designed to improve the spectacle and competitiveness on the track. In this new context, Ford replaces Honda as the power unit supplier for Red Bull, strengthening a strategic alliance that marks a new era for the Austrian team. During the event, the design of Racing Bulls for 2026 was also presented, along with its drivers Liam Lawson (New Zealand) and Arvid Lindblad (Great Britain). The activity also featured the presence of the executive president of Formula One, Stefano Domenicali, who highlighted the importance of the regulatory change.