Adrian Newey, widely regarded as the greatest designer in Formula One history, recently unveiled his latest creation: the Red Bull RB17 hypercar. This car holds special significance as it will serve as Newey’s swan song from Red Bull before his departure early next year. With 14 championship-winning cars under his belt, Newey admitted to feeling nervous about the public’s reaction to each new model. The RB17 is one of his most spectacular designs to date, combining F1 technology with the aim of reaching the upper limits of automotive performance.
Newey’s journey towards the RB17 began in 2010 when he created the Red Bull X1 for the popular racing game Gran Turismo. This fan car, offering unprecedented speed and grip, sparked his interest in exploring what a no-restrictions car could look like in reality. This led to the development of the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a road-legal hypercar that showcased Newey’s design prowess. Although Aston Martin and Red Bull were no longer partners when the Valkyrie went into production, Aston Martin remained committed to the project and will field two prototype versions of the Valkyrie in the premier class at the 24 Hours of Le Mans next year.
The RB17 represents a missing era for Red Bull Racing in Formula One. Due to the freeze on F1 car development from 2020 to 2021, Red Bull opted to name its 2021 car the RB16B instead of RB17. This provided the perfect opportunity for Newey to work on a new concept that focused on three key principles: offering a joyous driving experience reminiscent of 1960s F1 cars, having customizable settings and two seats, and being aesthetically pleasing. To achieve these goals, Newey incorporated a naturally aspirated V10 engine capable of 1,200 bhp and a lightweight chassis.
The RB17 is not only a beautiful car but also an expensive one, costing just under £6 million ($7.7 million). Only 50 RB17s will be produced, and Red Bull plans to help owners utilize them on racetracks worldwide through a bespoke program. Red Bull aims to ensure that these cars are not merely collector’s items but are driven to their full potential. Liam Lawson, Red Bull’s reserve driver, recently tested the RB17 in the simulator and was amazed by its cornering grip, suggesting that it could have achieved pole position at Silverstone.
The timing of the RB17’s unveiling aligns with the news of Newey’s departure from Red Bull. After almost 20 years with the team, Newey is ready for a change. While he has attracted interest from various F1 teams, including Aston Martin, Newey is currently focused on seeing the RB17 project through to completion. He plans to stay involved in the project and attend track tests next summer. As Newey contemplates his next move, he acknowledges that he needs a break to refresh and reevaluate his ambitions.
In conclusion, the RB17 hypercar represents a culmination of Adrian Newey’s remarkable career in Formula One. This exceptional vehicle showcases his innovative design approach and serves as a testament to his dedication and passion for the sport. As Newey prepares to leave Red Bull, his legacy will continue to inspire and shape the future of Formula One.