Red Bull’s RB17: The Hypercar Bringing Back Formula 1's Best
Christian Horner, the head honcho at Red Bull Technology, recently unveiled the RB17 hypercar, a stunning machine that he says embodies 'all the good stuff they got rid of from Formula 1.' He emphasized that lead engineer Adrian Newey, who will soon part ways with Red Bull, had the creative freedom to build the RB17 without adhering to the typical constraints of F1 regulations.
No Constraints, Pure Performance
Horner noted, 'There's no FIA constraints and no cost cap, so you can see influences from all these cars over the years. It has an insane amount of performance that even Max Verstappen would struggle to extract.' This freedom has allowed the RB17 to emerge as a pure embodiment of unbridled engineering prowess. Unlike similar projects from rival F1 teams, such as the Mercedes-AMG One and Aston Martin Valkyrie, which are road-legal, the RB17 is designed exclusively for the track.
A Limited Edition Halo Car
Red Bull doesn't intend to mass-produce the RB17. 'This is very much a halo car for us,' Horner said, clarifying that their primary focus remains on Formula 1. With a planned production run limited to just 50 units, the RB17 project is carefully designed to complement Red Bull's core competence in F1, without detracting from their primary mission.
Interestingly, while the RB17 is engineered for track use, Horner hinted that road conversions could be possible. 'But should somebody wish to do a road conversion on this car, I'm sure there are several conversion houses that are capable of doing that,' he added.
What About Future Red Bull Hypercars?
When asked about the possibility of future projects beyond the RB17, and potentially increasing production, Horner remained cautious. 'We don't want to distract from our core competence, which is building grand prix cars,' he reiterated. The RB17 is meant to be a symbol of what Red Bull is capable of when unconstrained, rather than the start of an automotive manufacturing arm.
Partnering with Ford? Not This Time
Horner also revealed that they had approached their new F1 partner, Ford, to collaborate on the RB17. However, the 5.4-litre V10 engine did not align with Ford's current EV-centric lineup. 'Jim [Farley] would love to drive one,' Horner laughed, acknowledging Ford CEO's motorsport enthusiasm. Despite this, the focus remains on what Red Bull does best—building exceptional racing machines.
A Glimpse at Le Mans?
Although primarily a track-only vehicle, Horner didn't rule out the RB17 competing at high-profile events like the 24 Hours of Le Mans in the future. 'The Valkyrie is going to run at Le Mans next year. If that can happen, it would be amazing to see the RB17 run,' he mused.
The RB17 hypercar is a brilliant manifestation of Red Bull's racing DNA, stripped of regulatory shackles and built to push the limits of engineering. Whether it ends up on roadways or tracks, or even at Le Mans, one thing is clear: the RB17 is here to make a statement.