Red Bull's Secret Weapon: The RB17 Hypercar Revolution Designed by F1 Legend
The automotive world buzzes with anticipation as Red Bull Racing gears up to unveil its latest masterpiece, the RB17 hypercar. This isn't just any high-speed machine; it's the brainchild of Adrian Newey, the most ingenious Formula 1 designer of our time. With a legacy of 10 constructors’ championship titles spread across three teams, Newey's move to hypercar design marks a thrilling new chapter in automotive innovation.
Christian Horner, team principal of Red Bull Racing, revealed in an enlightening conversation with Autocar the origins of the RB17 project. The idea was born in 2014, stemming from Newey's long-held desire to design a car uniquely for Red Bull. The Valkyrie, created in partnership with Aston Martin, was a stepping stone, embodying stunning design and breakthrough technology but merely scratching the surface of what was possible.
Why the shift towards a hypercar now? The inception of the budget cap era in Formula 1 has led teams to think creatively about retaining resources and talent. Horner sees the RB17 as a perfect marriage of Formula 1's cutting-edge technology and Red Bull Advanced Technologies' (RBAT) accumulated engineering prowess. This project not only justifies the extensive skills within the team but enhances them, complementing their F1 endeavours without distraction.
Rob Gray, RBAT's technical director, emphasizes the hypercar's in-house production, with only a few components like glass and gear clusters being outsourced. The engineering principles of the RB17 mirror those of F1 cars, focusing on low-volume, high-quality production, steering clear of mass production to maintain exclusivity and excellence.
The RB17 boasts an impressive hybrid power unit, promising around 150bhp from regenerated energy alone. This hybrid system aims to enhance the performance of the internal combustion engine, offering a synergy that ensures the hypercar delivers an exhilarating drive. Horner teases a power unit crafted to Red Bull’s specifications by an external partner, ensuring it roars like a true track car.
Is Red Bull pivoting to become a full-fledged road car manufacturer? Horner labels the RB17 as the beginning of an exciting journey, a 'halo project' that could pave the way for future automotive ventures. The RB17, therefore, is not just a car but a statement of ambition and potential.
Gray playfully describes the RB17 as 'Adrian’s greatest hits,' a compilation of Newey’s innovative features known and revered in the F1 world. From the aerodynamically transformative ‘blown diffuser’ to other undisclosed marvels, the RB17 is expected to be a treasure trove of automotive innovation, featuring Newey's hallmark of genius in every curve and component.
As the RB17 project heads towards completion, it stands as a testament to Red Bull's unyielding pursuit of excellence and innovation. It's not just a hypercar; it's a beacon of what happens when the pinnacle of motorsport engineering meets the visionary ambition of one of F1's legendary designers. The RB17 isn't merely setting the stage for Red Bull's future in automotive design; it's redefining the boundaries of what a hypercar can be.