Red Bull Racing has revealed the first real images of its RB22 challenger for the 2026 Formula 1 season, just as pre-season testing begins in Barcelona. The car, powered by a new Red Bull Ford engine, features innovative aerodynamic designs aimed at complying with updated regulations. Drivers Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar are set to pilot the machine during the three-day test from January 26 to 30.
Red Bull Racing pulled back the covers on its RB22 Formula 1 car ahead of the 2026 season, sharing the first authentic images as the Barcelona pre-season test kicked off on Monday. The team had previously unveiled the car's livery on January 15 at an event in Detroit, Michigan, home to its new engine partner Ford, but the full machinery was kept under wraps until now.
The RB22 adheres to Formula 1's revamped chassis and power unit rules, incorporating active aerodynamics and a balanced 50:50 split between combustion and electric power. It is powered by the Red Bull Ford DM01 engine, named in tribute to the late co-founder Dietrich Mateschitz. The design showcases aggressive aerodynamic features, including significantly reduced sidepod volumes that form a pronounced 'coke bottle' shape to optimize airflow to the rear. This setup relies on a multi-layer arrangement of radiators and heat exchangers, a concept Red Bull explored with mixed success in its 2025 RB20.
Notable elements include integrated air guidance in the cockpit protection area, styled as a 'mini-bazooka,' with a rear opening that directs air similarly to Ferrari's by-pass duct. The power unit's airbox remains compact, despite the larger requirements for 2026, and is smaller than that of the sister Racing Bulls team.
Isack Hadjar, fresh from a promising rookie year at Racing Bulls, took the RB22 out for its track debut in Barcelona, with four-time world champion Max Verstappen scheduled to drive later in the week. Verstappen, who narrowly lost the 2025 title to Lando Norris, will be aiming for a fifth championship. The test runs from January 26 to 30, allowing all teams three days of running. Early images suggest the RB22's elaborate design may see minor updates, but its core characteristics appear set. Other teams are expected to reveal new components during this session and the subsequent Bahrain test.
