The world of Formula 1 was shaken earlier this year by the announcement that Adrian Newey, the man who’d engineered Red Bull’s utterly dominant form over the last few years, would be leaving the team at the end of 2024. Before he goes, though, he’s given it one last thing to shout about, and it’s nothing to do with F1: meet the Red Bull RB17. And now, we’re getting a sense of just how fast it’ll be on track. More on that shortly.
First announced two years ago, the RB17 is Red Bull’s entry into the uber-exclusive world of track-only hypercars. Sitting at its heart is a 4.5-litre, naturally aspirated V10. That sounds like something from the world of noughties Formula 1, and so will the car itself: it’ll rev all the way out to 15,000rpm. Fifteen thousand. That engine’s developed by – who else – Cosworth, which also builds the powerplants for the Aston Martin Valkyrie, GMA T50 and Bugatti Tourbillon.
Red Bull RB17 – front
The engine on its own sends 986bhp to the rear wheels, and is augmented by a 197bhp electric motor for a total combined output of 1184bhp. With a quoted weight of just 805kg, that’s a frankly frightening power-to-weight ratio of 1471bhp per tonne.
Naturally, with Newey involved, there’s a lot of aero trickery going on. Air is pulled in at the front and channelled through those simply enormous venturi tunnels, and there are a pair of fans buried in there helping suck it to the ground too. 1700kg of downforce at 150mph is the target.
Red Bull RB17 – rear
It gets active suspension with various switchable setups and multi-stage traction control, designed to make something as savage as even this relatively approachable. Also helping aid this are three choices of Michelin tyre compound, ranging from a treaded, rain-friendly one to a super-sticky set of slicks.
The result of all this is something that should be on a par with the very fastest of professional racing machinery. Speaking to media, including Motor1, Newey revealed that the team had run simulations of the RB17’s potential performance at Silverstone Circuit, which would have put it “comfortably” on pole at this year’s British Grand Prix. He admits that these simulations are never entirely true to life, but there’s little doubt that the final car – which is likely to differ visually a little from the show car – will be right up there with stuff that requires the highest grades of FIA licence to drive.
Adrian Newey with the RB17 at the Goodwood Festival of Speed
Red Bull won’t want to admit it, but any similarities to the Aston Martin Valkyrie probably aren’t a coincidence. It seems an age ago now, but that car was originally a collaboration between Aston and Red Bull before the two companies parted ways, and its root design is a Newey one, too.
Red Bull RB17 – side
The Valkyrie, though, is bound (somewhat) by the shackles of road legality. The RB17 isn’t, although you can’t race it anywhere – as is usually the case with these things, it’s simply a toy for the ultra-wealthy. Just 50 will be made, and even at around £5 million each, we don’t doubt Red Bull will have any trouble shifting them all. Owners will get optional sim training, and have access to exclusive track days.
By the time the RB17 – a name originally reserved for Red Bull’s 2021 F1 car, before Covid forced it to use an updated 2020 car – first runs on track next summer, Newey will have departed for pastures new. Wherever he ends up, it’ll surely be remembered by the team almost as much as the astonishing success he helped bring it on track.
