In a significant kickoff to the 2026 Formula 1 season, Red Bull Racing became the first team to pull the covers off its new campaign, choosing the heart of the American automotive industry for the reveal. During a high-profile Ford season launch event in Detroit, the team showcased the livery for the RB22. While the actual chassis developed under the sweeping new 2026 regulations will remain under wraps until the official shakedown in Barcelona, the presentation offered a clear signal of the team’s aesthetic direction and deepened technical partnership with Ford.
A Return to Gloss and a Tribute to the Founder
For fans accustomed to the matte finish that has defined Red Bull’s machinery in recent years, the RB22 represents a striking visual pivot. The team has opted for a glossy, brighter shade of blue, a design choice intended to evoke a “retro” feel reminiscent of the team’s early years in the sport. The new look features a distinct pattern that utilizes the gloss effect to contrast against the blue bodywork, with Ford branding prominently displayed on the nose and engine cover.
The nostalgia extends beyond the paint job. With the regulations necessitating a new naming convention for power units, Red Bull has seized the opportunity to honor its origins. The fledgling engine, developed in-house at Milton Keynes, has been designated the “DM01.” The initials stand for Dietrich Mateschitz, the company’s co-founder who passed away in 2022. As team representatives noted during the event, the fact that the team now stands with a completely independent chassis and engine is a direct realization of Mateschitz’s long-term vision.
Deepening Ties in the Motor City
The Detroit setting was more than just a backdrop; it underscored the intensifying technical alliance between the championship contenders and the American auto giant. Ford is stepping into a more active role for 2026, moving beyond a simple branding exercise to provide tangible engineering support to Red Bull Powertrains. Christian Hetrich, the chief engineer for the powertrain project, highlighted that Ford is contributing expertise in specialized 3D printing technologies for metal components and refining crucial simulation tools.
The event also saw the attendance of top brass including Ford CEO Jim Farley and Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali, alongside Red Bull Team Principal Laurent Mekies and Technical Director Pierre Wache.
Verstappen and Hadjar React to the New Era
Max Verstappen, coming off a season where he finished as vice-world champion, gave the new aesthetic his seal of approval. He noted the “cool” factor of the gloss finish and its retro appeal, though he couldn’t resist a practical joke regarding the maintenance. The Dutch driver quipped that he wasn’t sure the mechanics would be thrilled about the extra time required to keep the shiny surface clean compared to the previous matte texture.
Sharing the stage was Isack Hadjar, who steps into the spotlight as a main driver for the top team. For Hadjar, the unveiling was a moment of realization. He admitted that seeing the car made his promotion feel significantly more real, expressing eagerness to get behind the wheel of the traditionally styled yet modern machine.
Echoes of the Past: Hill’s Missed Ferrari Opportunity
While Red Bull looked to the past for design inspiration, a different kind of Formula 1 history surfaced recently regarding one of the sport’s most intense rivalries. Damon Hill, the 1996 World Champion, dropped a bombshell revelation on the “Stay on Track” podcast, co-hosted by Johnny Herbert. Hill disclosed that during the height of his battles with Michael Schumacher, there was a genuine possibility of the two becoming teammates at Ferrari.
Hill explained that he operated under a fundamental rule during his career: he simply wanted to be in the best car to maximize his chances of winning. At the time, while Ferrari wasn’t yet dominant, the allure of Maranello was strong. Jean Todt, the Ferrari team boss, invited Hill to Italy for what was described as a casual conversation about a potential drive.
The Clause That Killed the Deal
The meeting took place, but the negotiations hit an immediate, insurmountable wall. According to Hill, Todt made the terms of the engagement explicitly clear: Hill would have to accept status as the “number two” driver behind Schumacher. For a reigning world champion and a fierce competitor, this was a non-starter. Hill described it as a generous offer that he was compelled to refuse.
Instead of donning Ferrari red, Hill moved to the struggling Arrows team in 1997 before finishing his career with a two-year stint at Jordan. Schumacher, meanwhile, spearheaded Ferrari’s resurgence, reeling off five consecutive titles between 2000 and 2004. Looking back, Hill admitted there is a lingering “what if,” wondering if he perhaps should have accepted the challenge. However, the history books remain written, a fact made even more definitive by Todt’s later actions. Hill noted with a touch of irony that when asked about the offer years later, Todt denied the meeting ever took place, leaving Hill to joke that he must have dreamt the entire encounter.