Reigning champion Max Verstappen has expressed his excitement for the new Formula 1 season, praising the striking new livery of the Red Bull RB22 after its official unveiling in Detroit.
Retro Design Catches the Eye
The showcase event on Thursday featured Verstappen and team-mate Isack Hadjar alongside the car that will contest the 2026 championship. Red Bull is the first team to reveal its colours ahead of what promises to be a frenetic launch period before pre-season testing begins.
Verstappen, who finished a close second to McLaren's Lando Norris last season, was visibly impressed by the design. "I love the new livery, it looks really nice and think it is going to stand out on track this year," the Dutch driver said. He described the gloss finish as a "more retro look" with a bold blue colour, noting it brought back memories of his early days in F1.
"Seeing it in real life was special and I was really impressed by how much of a change it is," Verstappen added, joking that the mechanics might not appreciate the effort required to keep the glossy finish clean.
Biggest Rule Changes in a Generation
The 2026 season will introduce the most significant technical regulations in over a decade, possibly in the sport's entire history. The changes represent a dual revolution, with both chassis and engine specifications being radically overhauled simultaneously.
A key shift will see the new power units operate with a near 50-50 split between electric and internal combustion energy. This, coupled with major aerodynamic modifications, presents a fresh challenge for every team on the grid.
For Red Bull, the challenge is compounded by their new venture as a power unit manufacturer. The Detroit launch paid homage to their crucial partnership with Ford, with whom they are developing their engine for the first time.
Confidence in the Face of Inexperience
Ben Hodgkinson, Red Bull's Powertrains Technical Director, acknowledged the team's newcomer status but projected confidence. "We're a newcomer," he stated. "We have had to build factories while people started developing engines. So we started behind."
However, Hodgkinson believes the team's infrastructure and personnel will allow them to catch up. "I think the people and the facilities we've got are better than everybody else. So watch this space," he concluded optimistically.
The season officially begins with the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne on 8 March. Given the scale of the new regulations, teams will have three pre-season tests to prepare. The first is a closed session in Barcelona from 26-30 January, followed by two tests in Bahrain on 11-13 and 18-20 February.
