Formula 1 News: Red Bull and Racing Bulls reveal 2026 liveries
Oracle Red Bull Racing and its sister Racing Bulls team revealed the team’s 2026 livery in true Red Bull style in Detroit, USA on Thursday evening, with a plane pulling the cover off the car.
At Red Bull’s 2026 Season Launch, held in Michigan Central Station, Red Bull pilot Martin Sonka produced a jaw-dropping stunt, as his plane tore the sheet off the car, unveiling a new yet familiar look, marking a return to the gloss finish first seen when the Team made its debut back in 2005.
22 years later, Formula One is about to enter a new era, as the sport’s technical regulations undergo a seismic change. This is also a defining moment for Oracle Red Bull Racing, because the opening round of the season in Melbourne will mark the official race debut of Red Bull Ford Powertrains, as the Team now builds both car and power unit under the same roof for the very first time.
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.
The 2026 livery features a heritage white base, which the gloss paint will provide more depth and clarity to, allowing the iconic sun and bull logo to pop, with cleaner edges and stronger color saturation. The shine adds motion, energy and reveals a new jacquard pattern through the body of the livery, which will run throughout Oracle Red Bull Racing’s 2026 look and feel.
Laurent Mekies, CEO and Team Principal of Oracle Red Bull Racing, said: “Seeing the new livery for the first time is one of those special moments, it starts to make you feel excited about the new season. We are going to look spectacular on track! This is a new and significant era for the sport as a whole and for us as a team. We wanted our livery to reflect this, while also giving a nod to Red Bull Racing’s beginnings. This livery is designed to celebrate the spirit of our early days and to be the most eye catching on the grid. In the year that an Oracle Red Bull Racing car will run a Red Bull Ford Powertrains PU for the first time, it felt only right to reflect some of our history in our livery.”
Max Verstappen, said: “I love the new livery, it looks really nice and think it is going to stand out on track this year. The gloss is cool, it is a more retro look, the color is really bold and blue, I really like it. Seeing it in real life was special and I was really impressed and surprised by how much of a change it is. The whole look brings back a lot of great memories of back in the day when I was just starting out in F1 and everything was new. I’m excited to drive a car with a completely different look. I’m not sure the mechanics will be happy about the time it’ll take to keep this clean! But, it’s going to look really slick and will be nice for everyone to see out on track.”
Isack Hadjar, said: “There’s been some exciting moments and a lot of firsts for me in the last few months, since I found out I would be driving for Oracle Red Bull Racing, and when I saw the 2026 livery it was up there with one of the best. Things are starting to feel a lot more real now and I can’t wait to drive with this livery on the car, I love the new, yet heritage, look, it’s super cool. It’s a new era for me and it’s pretty crazy that the Team and the whole sport are entering one at the same time too, it all feels very special. Being here in Detroit and seeing the livery in real life and the scale of what we have done to create a power unit is getting me hyped for this season. Now I just want to get into the RB22 with our own engine and go racing!”
Racing Bulls Livery Reveal
Visa Cash App Racing Bulls unveiled their 2026 Formula One livery and introduced new driver, Arvid Lindblad this evening at a landmark event that transformed the iconic Central Michigan train station into the stage for the team’s latest chapter in Formula One.
Set against the majestic architecture of the historic location, the evening brought together VCARB, Ford Racing, and Oracle Red Bull Racing in a shared celebration of innovation, speed, and engineering excellence as they launch a partnership that has built the first-ever Red Bull Ford Powertrains power unit.
To introduce VCARB’s on stage moment, Detroit’s very own, 7x BET Award-winning and multi-platinum superstar, Big Sean, introduced the team with a bespoke 60 second Red Bull rap. He also closed out the event with his top hits IDFWU and Bounce Back.
The event marked a strategic milestone for the team; highlighting where it’s heading, how it’s building and what fans can expect from the year ahead.
In 2026, together with Ford, Red Bull will roar into action as a power unit manufacturer, a project that encapsulates the Red Bull spirit, that has defied convention since it first took to the track 21 years ago. With over 125 years of heritage, innovation, and absolute dedication to performance, Ford embodies the same competitive spirit that drives our team. This partnership brings together global brands united by a love of racing and a commitment to pushing boundaries.
As seen on the livery tonight, Octave joins VCARB as an Asset Lifecycle Management Partner. Spinning out of Hexagon AB, Octave will support the team across a wide range of strategic and operational decision-making processes. More to come on this partnership soon.
Peter Bayer, CEO said: “This launch captures the evolution of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls as a brand and as a racing team. From having Detroit as a backdrop representing our partnership with Ford, to the creators, fans and communities we’ve brought into this launch, everything reflects our ambition to stand for being a culture-first team. We want to connect with the next generation in a way that feels authentic, bold and inclusive, and this moment marks the continuation of what we do both on and off the track.”
Alan Permane, Team Principal said: “2026 represents one of the biggest technical changes Formula One has seen, and partnering with Ford at the very start of this journey is hugely significant for us. The Red Bull Ford Powertrains project brings together world-class engineering, innovation, and racing DNA, and it puts us in a strong position as the sport enters this new era. We have been working closely together and are proud of what the Red Bull family have developed. It’s something we’re excited to have in our race car as we hit the track in the coming weeks”.
Liam Lawson said: “Launching the 2026 livery here in Detroit makes the moment feel even more special. The history of innovation in this place really reflects what this team is building for the future. The partnership between Ford and Red Bull, the energy around the team, and the ambition for what’s ahead make this an incredibly exciting time to be part of VCARB. I’m more motivated than ever to push forward and help turn that vision into results on track.”
Arvid Lindblad said: “This moment is honestly surreal. To be introduced as a Formula One driver at an event like this, in such an iconic setting, is something I’ll never forget. The team’s vision, the new power unit, and the belief they’ve shown in me mean a lot. I’m ready to learn, to work, and to give everything on track as we start this new chapter together.”