Red Bull and Racing Bulls have officially kickstarted 2026 F1 livery season

Not six weeks have passed since Lando Norris clinched the F1 title in Abu Dhabi, but – like the Easter eggs popping up on supermarket shelves on New Year’s Day – we already have our first glimpse of what the 2026 grid will look like. Should be a law against it. Or something.

Anyway, this time it’s Red Bull and sister squad Racing Bulls first out of the blocks, unveiling their new carbon fibre gowns at a glitzy, live-streamed ceremony held at a former train station in Detroit.

Why? The building’s owned by Ford you see, and that’s significant because Red Bull has partnered up with the Blue Oval to build its very own engine for the first time; no more complaining about Renault or going cap in hand to Honda, Red Bull is the master of its own fate now.

So in a nod to the upheaval behind the scenes, the team has returned to the glossy paint it began with when it made its debut in the sport in 2005.

“I love the new livery,” said Max Verstappen, no doubt plucked several weeks earlier than he would’ve liked from an extra-long winter holiday. “It is a more retro look, the colour is really bold and blue, I really like it.

“I’m not sure the mechanics will be happy about the time it’ll take to keep this clean! But, it’s going to look really slick and will be nice for everyone to see out on track.”

Meanwhile Racing Bulls – or RB, or VCARB, or however you want to refer to it – has stuck with the predominantly white scheme that served it so well as it finished sixth in the standings last season.

Naturally there are flashes of blue because of the Ford association, but the junior team scores additional Cool Points with us for those white wheels. Check out the gallery below… presumably those aren’t steelies?

As Isack Hadjar has been promoted to the full Red Bull team, that’s opened up a slot at RB for rookie Arvid Lindblad. The 18-year-old Brit finished sixth in F2 last year, and steps up to the big time alongside teammate Liam Lawson.

“This moment is honestly surreal,” said Lindblad. “To be introduced as a Formula One driver at an event like this, in such an iconic setting, is something I’ll never forget. I’m ready to learn, to work, and to give everything on track as we start this new chapter together.”

Anyhow, what do you think of the new liveries? Are they hot? Are they not? Or have we simply not had enough of a break from F1 to care just yet?

The comments section is all yours…