The buzz around the motorsport world has intensified with the revelation that engineering mastermind Adrian Newey is fully devoting his expertise to the Red Bull RB17, a mind-blowing hypercar project. After departing from his team responsibilities, Newey has focused his immense skill set on crafting this vehicle, which is generating high expectations even before hitting the track.
Enthusiasts have been eagerly anticipating the RB17 since it was first announced in June 2022 during a press conference featuring Newey and Red Bull team principal Christian Horner. The hypercar is set to bring Newey’s renowned ground effect aerodynamic expertise into a track-only marvel, developed alongside Red Bull Advanced Technologies.
Following the naming tradition of Red Bull’s Formula 1 cars, the RB17 fills a peculiar gap left between the RB16B and RB18. This hypercar promises to blend the most iconic innovations from Newey’s Formula 1 career into one formidable design. Unlike his previous work with the Aston Martin Valkyrie, this project bears the Red Bull name alone, a testament to its unique place in Newey’s portfolio.
Set for production in 2025, the RB17 embraces the spirit of Formula 1, boasting a V10 engine with over 1,000 horsepower augmented by a 200 horsepower electric motor. This combination incorporates elements like the energy recovery system, which Formula 1 fans will recognize. Featuring a carbon composite tub, the car leverages ground effect aerodynamics to generate significant downforce, all while remaining under 900kg, thanks to minimal technical restrictions.
Newey’s input brings a wealth of Formula 1 innovations into the RB17, such as active suspension that propelled Williams to early ’90s dominance and blown exhausts that helped Red Bull rise to prominence in 2009. The car will also utilize flexible skirts to enhance its aerodynamic performance. Newey remarked, “The RB17 distills everything we know about creating championship-winning Formula 1 cars into a package that delivers extreme levels of performance in a two-seat track car.”
The ambitious project carries a price tag starting at £5 million, with only 50 units planned for a select group of enthusiasts. Despite the cost, interest is so high that many units have already been spoken for before production starts. Buyers will gain more than just the car; Red Bull offers access to simulators, on-track training, and personalized maintenance and service support, tailored to each owner’s intended use of the hypercar.
Speaking on Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast, Newey elaborated on the versatile nature of the RB17, describing its capability to achieve Formula 1 lap times. He praised its lightweight design, achieving high performance by balancing a 1,000 horsepower naturally aspirated engine with modern electric enhancements. This hypercar also features active suspension to manage the intense downforce and maintain a smooth ride, unlike any other track or road car. Newey emphasized, “It can actually produce its own weight in downforce by 120 miles an hour.” This speaks to its remarkable aerodynamics and adaptability to various driving styles and techniques.
As Newey prepares to relinquish his Red Bull duties upon the project’s completion, the RB17 stands as a monument to his legacy in automotive innovation. This hypercar may be poised to redefine what is possible in high-performance, track-only vehicles.
With its groundbreaking design and cutting-edge technology, the Red Bull RB17 represents a significant leap in hypercar engineering, rooted in Formula 1 brilliance. As Adrian Newey focuses all his efforts on this ambitious project, the anticipation around its capabilities continues to grow, leaving the automotive world eagerly waiting for its track debut in 2025.
