Red Bull has launched the car Max Verstappen will use in his title defense this year.
Images of the car and its new paintwork were leaked on social media shortly before the official launch video was broadcast on various online platforms, including Red Bull Racing’s YouTube account.
Team principal Christian Horner said that Wednesday’s car debut, which looks strikingly similar to the concept car released by F1 last year, will grow significantly from its launch specs, potentially which means it can look very different when the real thing hits the track in pre-season testing. at the end of this month.
The new RB18 has been built to F1’s overhauled specifications for 2022 and will therefore be a significant difference from Verstappen’s championship-winning RB16B in 2021. Some features – including larger wheels, low tires and swept wings – – about the launch of the RB18 car that will be common across all F1 cars this year.
While it remains unclear where Red Bull will rank in the face of their opposition this year, the team has one of the most successful aerodynamics in F1, meaning the final product has the potential to become Point of reference for rival teams as they hone their cars. under the new regulations.
The Red Bull RB18 will be powered by an updated version of the Honda engine that helped Verstappen win the title last year, but the turbocharged V6 hybrid has been rebranded as “Red Bull Powertrains” after when Honda left F1.
Red Bull has taken on American company Oracle as the main partner this year and the team will be officially known as Oracle Red Bull Racing.
Verstappen will continue to be partnered by the Mexican racer Sergio Perezwho hope to challenge his teammates for this season’s title after being completely surpassed by the 2021 world champion.
