Red Bull revealed their 2023 F1 car in New York City, alongside the announcement of an engine partnership with Ford for 2026.
Fans got to see that the RB19 continues with Red Bull‘s traditional blue, red and yellow livery, after Ford‘s earlier announcement that they’re returning to F1 in 2026 as an engine supplier.
Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez and Team Principal Christian Horner all said they were looking forward to the 2023 season, as Red Bull attempts to claim their fourth and fifth championships in three years.
Horner said: “It’s going to be an incredible season, our rivals haven’t stood still so we’re expecting Ferrari to be competitive, Mercedes will be there, there’s some other teams that could make some big progress as well so this time of year it’s all a big unknown.
“And then in Bahrain in a couple of weeks’ time we’ll get to see everybody’s car, we’ll be able to see have we missed anything, have we not, but I think we’re in a good place to carry on that momentum from last year.
“The regulations are very stable so it’s taking all the lesson from the RB18, there’s been some subtle aerodynamic changes and the tyres are slightly different but the RB 19 draws on all the strengths from what was our most successful car.”
However, Horner dodged a question about a potential conflict between Verstappen and Perez after the pair’s spat came to light in the 2022 Brazilian Grand Prix, answering: “We’re very lucky to have two fantastic drivers, I think it’s the best pairing we’ve ever had in F1 and we’re going to need every bit of that this year as we go against some big opponents with the other teams wanting to get back at us.”
Verstappen: If it’s not broke don’t fix it
The livery looks a carbon copy of their 2022 design, but star of the show Max Verstappen said he liked the look.
“I think our livery has been pretty similar for a couple of years now,” Verstappen said. “But I think it’s a cool looking car, we’ve had a lot of success like that so why do we need to change.”
And his teammate Sergio Perez echoed that sentiment.
“Once you get to see your new car you really get excited,” Perez said. “It’s going to be a long season but hopefully we get a good introduction and hopefully it’s a great year. For now it’s about getting up to a good physical level before the season starts, as we’re going to have just a day and a half each in the car before it starts.”
However, this livery won’t be an ever-present throughout the season as Red Bull also announced the ‘Make Your Mark’ initiative, a competition where fans can design Red Bull’s liveries for the three American races.
Asked if he’d tested the car yet, Verstappen said: “Only on the simulator. Coming out of last year you get a bit of a picture of what you want, what you can improve but you constantly just try to make it better and that’s what you’re constantly working on in the simulator but the first feelings have been really good.”
Daniel Ricciardo was also featured in the launch, as he returns to Red Bull for 2023 after losing his seat at McLaren. He won seven races with the team from 2014-2018, and will be Red Bull‘s third driver in the coming season.
“It feels amazing,” Ricciardo said. “It’s like returning home after a second phase of my career. It feels warm and cosy back in the family, a lot of fond memories.
“I’ll attend some races and it’s also to help develop the car, a lot of simulator work and also to keep involved with the sport and see what’s happening.”
“We’ve got a big year,” Horner added. “We’ve got 20 show runs so it’s great to have Daniel back in the team, we’ve got two in the US: Chicago and Nashville, and lighting up those streets is going to be a lot of fun this year.”
Ford and Red Bull team up for 2026
Ford announced they’ll be Red Bull‘s engine supplier from 2026, when the engine freeze lifts and regulations change, including the incorporation of 100% sustainable fuels.
“It’s fantastic to be welcoming Ford back into Formula 1 through this partnership,” said Horner. “As an independent engine manufacturer to have the ability to benefit from an OEM’s experience like Ford puts us in good stead against the competition.
“For us as Red Bull Powertrains to open the next chapter of that dynasty, as Red Bull Ford, is tremendously exciting. 2026 is still a while away but for us the work already starts as we look to a new future and a continued evolution of Oracle Red Bull Racing.”
“Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is all about where we are going as a company– increasingly electric, software-defined, modern vehicles and experiences,” said Jim Farley, Ford‘s President and CEO. “F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and engage with tens of millions of new customers.”
