Held at Michigan Central Station in front of a large crowd of fans, the event marked the beginning of Red Bull’s technical partnership with Ford, a project that will see the organisation race with its own in-house power unit for the first time under the Red Bull Ford Powertrains banner.
Red Bull Racing revealed a refreshed but familiar look for 2026, returning to a glossy finish inspired by the livery the team ran during its debut season in F1 in 2005.
It features a heritage white base combined with a deeper gloss finish, designed to sharpen reflections and enhance the contrast of the iconic Red Bull branding under lights.
A subtle jacquard pattern runs through the bodywork, forming part of the team’s wider visual identity for the new era.
The unveiling was staged in typical Red Bull fashion, with pilot Martin Sonka dramatically removing the cover from the car using an aerobatic aircraft as part of the presentation.
Max Verstappen, who will again lead the team alongside new team-mate Isack Hadjar, said the design stood out immediately.
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“I love the new livery, it looks really nice and think it is going to stand out on track this year,” Verstappen said.
“The gloss is cool, it is a more retro look, the colour is really bold and blue, I really like it. Seeing it in real life was special and I was really impressed and surprised by how much of a change it is.”
Hadjar, promoted to the senior team for 2026, said the timing of the new livery and the regulation change made the moment particularly meaningful.
“There’s been some exciting moments and a lot of firsts for me in the last few months, since I found out I would be driving for Oracle Red Bull Racing, and seeing the 2026 livery for the first time is up there with one of the best,” Hadjar said.
“It’s a new era for me and it’s pretty crazy that the Team and the whole sport are entering one at the same time too, it all feels very special.”
The livery reflects the significance of the season ahead, with F1 set to introduce its biggest technical reset in decades, while 2026 will also mark the race debut of Red Bull Ford Powertrains, as Red Bull becomes a full works operation building both chassis and power unit under the same roof.
Red Bull CEO and team principal Laurent Mekies said the moment underlined the scale of the challenge facing the team.
“It’s a historical moment for all of us. We are entering a historical moment for Formula 1. It’s going to be the biggest change of regulations in Formula 1 history,” Mekies said.
“It’s a crazy challenge. Perhaps it’s a challenge that only a company like Red Bull and Ford can decide to do, but that’s what we are here for.”
Mekies acknowledged the road ahead would not be straightforward, but expressed confidence in the group assembled to deliver the project.
“We are not naive. We know it’s going to be coming with a fair amount of struggle, a fair amount of headaches and sleepless nights, as we said, but that’s exactly what we are here for,” he said.
“And you know, we have the confidence of having put together an amazing group of people, an amazing group of partners, and we will go through this, through the struggle, we will eventually come out on top.
“Bear with us in the first few months. And I think these initial difficulties will be a good reminder of how much we went through to eventually get on top.”
Behind the scenes, Red Bull Powertrains technical director Ben Hodgkinson described the launch as the culmination of years of work, revealing the team’s first power unit will be named the DM01 in tribute to Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz.
“Right now is the culmination of four years of hard graft from 700 teammates that are putting their all into it,” Hodgkinson said.
“In those four years, we actually had to find those 700 teammates and recruit them, trying to find the very, very best in their field.
“We had to build three factories. Had to commission all the equipment, state of the art facilities that we’ve got here in Milton Keynes. And this is an absolutely huge statement from Red Bull.”
Sister outfit Racing Bulls also unveiled its 2026 livery during the Detroit event, retaining the predominantly white colour scheme that proved popular last season.
The updated design features black detailing and new blue accents tracing the chassis, a visual nod to the team’s alignment with Ford.
The Racing Bulls reveal was accompanied by the introduction of Arvid Lindblad, who becomes the only rookie on the 2026 grid after progressing through the Red Bull Junior Programme.
Lindblad will partner Liam Lawson, who enters his second full season in F1 and first full season with the team after remaining with the Faenza-based squad.
Racing Bulls CEO Peter Bayer said the launch represented more than just a new paint scheme.
“This launch captures the evolution of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls as a brand and as a racing team,” Bayer said.
“From having Detroit as a backdrop representing our partnership with Ford, to the creators, fans and communities we’ve brought into this launch, everything reflects our ambition to push Formula 1 culture forward.”
Team principal Alan Permane highlighted the significance of aligning with Ford from the outset of the new regulation cycle.
“2026 represents one of the biggest technical resets Formula 1 has seen, and partnering with Ford at the very start of this journey is hugely significant for us,” Permane said.
“The Red Bull Ford Powertrains project brings together world-class engineering, innovation and racing DNA, and it puts us in a strong position as the sport enters this new era.”
Lawson said launching the livery in Detroit added extra weight to the occasion.
“Launching the 2026 livery here in Detroit makes the moment feel even more special,” Lawson said.
“The partnership between Ford and Red Bull, the energy around the team, and the ambition for what’s ahead make this an incredibly exciting time to be part of VCARB.”
Lindblad described his introduction as an F1 driver as a moment he would never forget.
“This moment is honestly surreal,” he said.
“To be introduced as a Formula 1 driver at an event like this, in such an iconic setting, is something I’ll never forget.”
While both teams unveiled their 2026 liveries in Detroit, the actual 2026 cars remain under wraps, with their first public appearance set to come at pre-season testing in Bahrain from February 11–13 following an initial private test at the Circuit de Catalunya two weeks earlier.
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