Red Bull's RB17 hypercar to make its debut at Festival of Speed

Designed by Formula 1 stalwart Adrian Newey and his team at Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the RB17 has been in the pipeline for several years. It was first announced as a concept car back in June 2022, and will be unveiled as a finished product on Friday 12^th July during the Festival of Speed. It will then be on static display in Cathedral Paddock for the rest of the weekend.

While many of the RB17s details are yet to be revealed, we do know that Red Bull’s two-seat hypercar will feature a carbon-fibre monocoque and be powered by a mid-mounted V10 engine. Power will be sent to the rear-wheels via a carbon-fibre gearbox.

With a top speed expected to exceed 215mph, we suspect the power figures, when we see them, are going to be substantial. The prototype has already undergone plenty of testing, and Red Bull is finally ready to show it to the world.

Alongside that massive global debut, Red Bull Racing will also be busy marking its 20^th anniversary in F1, what what promises to be its biggest celebration ever. The team will be bringing many of its greatest F1 cars and drivers to Goodwood, including 13-time grand prix winner David Coulthard. Team Principal and CEO Christian Horner will also be taking to the Hill over the course of the weekend alongside Red Bull’s longest serving driver Patrick Friesacher. More drivers will be announced in due course.

Red Bull is also preparing to bring a huge selection of F1 cars from its time in the sport, which spans from its debut at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix to the present day, many of which will be taking to the Hill throughout the weekend. Red Bull’s presence at the Festival of Speed will culminate in a moment that is sure to bring the rest of the event to a standstill.

Christian Horner, CEO of Oracle Red Bull Racing and Red Bull Advanced Technologies said: “We are excited to debut the RB17 to the public for the first time and couldn’t think of a better world stage than Goodwood Festival of Speed.

“The RB17 exudes rarity and engineering excellence. We’ve channelled everything we know about racing into making the ultimate performance car and can’t wait for the public to see the result.

“I’m also just as thrilled to be bringing such a remarkable selection of cars and drivers to the iconic festival and look forward to celebrating our 20^th season in front of such passionate motorsport fans.”

Red Bull Racing was born from the ashes of the Jaguar F1 team in 2005. For its debut season the team brought in experienced race winner David Coulthard from McLaren alongside Christian Klien and Vitantonio Liuzzi, and scored points with both cars in its first two races. Racing regularly in and around the top ten, Red Bull finished its debut season seventh in the constructors’ championship.

Adrian Newey joined the team for 2006, and Coulthard scored Red Bull’s first podium finish at that year’s Monaco Grand Prix. After three more years of gradual progress, the team reached its full potential following the big regulation change in 2009.

With drivers Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber, Red Bull took its first victory in China before challenging for the constructors’ title alongside Brawn GP. They went one better in 2010, as Sebastian Vettel won his first world championship and Red Bull became constructors’ champions for the first time, a feat they would manage in four consecutive seasons, winning 13 races in 2013.

The team embarked on a second era of dominance in 2021, as Max Verstappen overthrew Lewis Hamilton to become Red Bull’s second drivers’ champion. Verstappen and Red Bull have since gone on to achieve unprecedented success in 2022 and ’23.

The Duke of Richmond, founder of the Festival of Speed, said: “I am delighted that Oracle Red Bull Racing will be joining us at the Festival of Speed this summer to celebrate their 20^th anniversary.

“In such a poignant year for the Formula 1 team, I am honoured they have chosen the Festival of Speed as the venue to unveil the much-anticipated RB17 for its global public debut, and I know our fans will be hugely excited for the team to bring a multitude of their championship-winning cars and drivers to the event this year.”

Only Thursday general admission tickets remain, with Friday, Saturday and Sunday tickets now sold out, although a limited number of hospitality packages for all days are still available. Tickets and packages can be purchased from £70.

Images courtesy of Motorsport Images.