When Red Bull first teased the RB17 back in 2022, the idea sounded almost mythical: a true Formula 1–inspired hypercar, designed by Adrian Newey, built by Red Bull Advanced Technologies, with seating for two and performance rivaling a modern F1 machine.

Now, with the final design revealed and production preparations underway, the RB17 is no longer a concept of imagination — it’s one of the most extreme road-legal track cars ever created.

And yes… it’s absolutely bonkers.

From F1 Dominance to Hypercar Reality

Unveiled publicly at the Goodwood Festival of Speed by Christian Horner, Adrian Newey, and Rob Gray, the RB17 represents the purest translation of Red Bull’s 20-year Formula One legacy into a customer-owned machine.

Designed from the ground up by Adrian Newey and Red Bull Advanced Technologies, the RB17 uses a carbon-fiber monocoque chassis and a semi-stressed mid-mounted 4.5-liter Cosworth V10, revving to an astonishing 15,000 rpm — the kind of engine note we haven’t heard since the golden age of F1.

This naturally aspirated V10 delivers roughly 1,000 horsepower, with an additional 200 hp provided by an electric motor, bringing total system output to approximately 1,200 horsepower. The electric motor also handles reverse gear duties and fills torque gaps during the lightning-fast gear shifts.

The result? F1-level lap times. Top speeds exceeding 350 km/h (217+ mph). All in a package weighing under 900 kg (1,984 lbs).

RB17 v2.0: The Final Design

The latest version of the RB17 shows how deeply Newey’s obsession with aerodynamics and detail runs.

Notable changes in the final design include:

New hockey-stick LED headlights giving the RB17 a more defined “face”
Refined cooling vents
A massive sailfish-style dorsal fin
A relocated exhaust running along the spine of the engine cover — a last-minute Newey revision that required significant thermal engineering
Side mirrors and even a windshield wiper — real-world concessions for track-day usability

Despite being slightly smaller overall than earlier prototypes, the RB17’s footprint still mirrors a modern F1 car.

An Interior Built for 5G

Inside, the RB17 is closer to a Le Mans prototype than a hypercar. The cockpit meets LMP crash regulations, despite the RB17 not being homologated for racing. Red Bull considers it a matter of “duty of care” — appropriate, considering the RB17 is expected to generate around 1,700 kg of fan-assisted downforce, allowing ordinary drivers to approach lap times normally reserved for Max Verstappen.

There are no touchscreens. No gimmicks. Only tactile physical controls — because you don’t want to be hunting through menus while pulling 5 G in a braking zone.

The RB17 also uses front-hinged butterfly doors, making entry and exit easier than roof-mounted gullwings. Owners literally step on the seat before sliding in, just like a proper prototype racer.

Ownership: Not Just a Car, an Experience

Only 50 RB17s will ever be built, each priced north of $6 million.

Every buyer is welcomed into the Red Bull family and enrolled in a full ownership program:

Global track events at iconic circuits
Custom driver development
Bespoke vehicle specification — from paint to interior materials
Ongoing engineering support and tailoring to each driver’s style

The first customer cars are expected to enter full production in the UK starting 2027, with test appearances likely happening throughout the 2026 F1 season.

A Future Classic in the Making

Christian Horner describes the RB17 as “a landmark car,” and it’s hard to argue. It represents the final, uncompromised expression of Adrian Newey’s design philosophy — an object built purely for speed, emotion, and engineering beauty.

In a world of downsized engines and digital driving experiences, the RB17 stands as a defiant celebration of mechanical theatre: a screaming V10, real aero, real downforce, and real danger.

The RB17 isn’t merely a hypercar.

It’s Formula One, uncaged.

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Red Bull RB17: Adrian Newey’s Ultimate Hypercar Has Arrived

January 13, 2026 6:16 PM