2026 Red Bull RB17 hypercar unleashed with 883kW

Red Bull Advanced Technologies has unwrapped a prototype for its upcoming track-only RB17 hypercar, which is promised to be faster than a current Formula 1 race car around most circuits.

Created by legendary F1 designer Adrian Newey, the wild 883kW V10-powered hypercar was unveiled at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on the weekend. Just 50 will be made and each will sell for around £5 million ($A9.6m).

The all-new RB17 – a swansong for Newey ahead of his departure from Red Bull Racing, where the F1 designer has been the architect of Max Verstappen’s last three world championships – is said to have been in development for three years and real-world track testing is still a year away.

Said to be close to the production version, the scale model revealed at Goodwood will eventually spin off a road-legal version with less dramatic aero in the future.

Thanks to is sculptured bodywork, wings, intakes, splitter and diffuser, Red Bull says the RB17 should be able to generate up to 1700kg of downforce and top out at 350km/h.

Powering the future rival for the Aston Martin Valkyrie, which was also part-developed by Newey and Red Bull, is an all-new 4.5-litre V10 engine created by Cosworth.

Capable of spinning up to 15,000rpm, the combustion engine pushes out an impressive 735kW of power. But that wasn’t enough for Red Bull as a single electric motor adds another 147kW.

Combined, the total output is 883kW, which combined with a claimed kerb weight of just 900kg should see the RB17 deliver explosive performance.

The RB17 features sophisticated F1-inspired adjustable push-rod suspension, motorsport-derived carbon-ceramic brakes and the choice of three specially-developed Michelin tyres, including the option of full slicks.

Created for drivers of all abilities to enjoy on track, in the right hands the RB17 is said to be capable of outqualifying an entire field of F1 racers; the new track-bred hypercar said to be quicker than Verstappen's current RB20 racer on even some of the fastest circuits – including Britain’s Silverstone.

Despite already announcing he was departing Red Bull Racing, Adrian Newey says he will remain on hand to finish the development of the RB17 ahead of first deliveries, which are expected to commence around 2026.

Using the same suppliers as its F1 team, Red Bull Advanced Technologies’ first-ever car will be manufactured in-house at the race team’s HQ in Milton Keynes (UK) over a two-year production run.

“I had been mulling around the idea to take on the challenge to design our very own hypercar, from concept to delivery, for many years and it has been a magnificent project and journey,” said Newey, Red Bull Racing’s chief technical officer.

“The RB17 hypercar embraces everything we stand for: undeniable power, speed and beauty. It is very adaptable in its abilities and we made sure to design it as a two-seater so that the thrill of driving at F1 speeds can be enjoyed with a friend or partner.”

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