Red Bull unveil 'Newey's utopia' RB17 hypercar at Goodwood Festival of Speed
Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool
In a spectacular presentation at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, Formula One world champions Red Bull revealed their revolutionary RB17 hypercar on Friday. The event marked a poignant moment as it showcased the culmination of departing designer Adrian Newey's illustrious career.
"This car is basically Adrian's utopia, it's him let off the leash," said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner. "It's going to be the most extreme track car of all time."
Red Bull announced an ambitious production plan of fifty RB17 cars over the next three years. These exclusive hypercars, each sold at nearly £6 million ($7.77m), have already been claimed by eager buyers. The RB17 promises blistering track performance, capable of achieving speeds over 350 km/h.
The two-seater's design leverages Red Bull's 20 years of experience in F1, including six constructors' titles and seven drivers' championships, with the latest three won by Max Verstappen. Newey's dominant designs for Williams and McLaren in the 1990s also influenced the car.
"There's no FIA constraints, no cost cap. You can see influences from all his cars over the years ... it's all the good stuff they [F1] got rid of," Horner elaborated. "Really, it's a celebration now of Adrian's time with the team."
Recognized as one of the greatest designers in motorsport history, Adrian Newey's imminent departure has rival teams like Ferrari and Aston Martin keen on recruiting the British genius. Newey has yet to disclose his future plans and remained tight-lipped during Friday's event.
"RB17 really is pushing the boundaries of everything we've learned into one car," said Newey, who had formerly designed the road-legal Valkyrie hypercar with Aston Martin.
The RB17's specs are impressive: it weighs under 900 kg and is powered by a mid-mounted naturally aspirated V10 Cosworth engine producing 1,000 horsepower, complemented by a 200hp electric motor.
"It has an insane amount of performance," Horner boasted. "Even Max Verstappen would struggle to extract the amount of performance this car has, such is the level of downforce. The RB17 will be quicker at certain circuits than a Formula One car."
Red Bull F1 reserve driver Liam Lawson recently test-drove the car on a simulator: "I think his eyes were very wide open," Horner remarked, capturing the sheer awe the car has inspired.
Red Bull Advanced Technologies will oversee the complete construction of each bespoke RB17. Owners will not just purchase a hypercar but will gain a comprehensive experience, including assistance at track events and ongoing driver development.
"Buying this car is about the experience. We don't want these cars to sit in collectors' museums," Horner emphasized. "Part of the ownership of these cars is going to be doing track days ... they are designed to be run, to be driven."
The launch saw the attendance of celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay, known for his unique culinary take on high-performance cars. Ramsay once even used a Valkyrie to grill a cheese sandwich after firing up the engine during hot laps.
The name RB17 fills a numerical gap in Red Bull’s F1 car sequence, between the RB16B of 2021 and the RB18 of 2022, symbolizing a new chapter in motor racing innovation.
In many ways, the RB17 hypercar is a fitting tribute to Adrian Newey's legendary career at Red Bull. It embodies the pinnacle of engineering prowess and a bold vision for future track performance, setting new benchmarks that even the most elite drivers will find challenging.
With its announced sale, the RB17 is set to make waves not just on the track but also in the hearts of automotive enthusiasts worldwide.
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