Red bull and Racing bulls to unveil their 2026 F1 liveries in Detroit, marking a new era with Ford’s return to formula1

The 2026 Formula 1 season is poised to bring one of the most transformative changes in the sport’s history, with the introduction of new engine and chassis regulations. Red Bull Racing, in collaboration with Ford, is setting the stage for the future, revealing their highly anticipated 2026 car liveries in January at a special Ford event in Detroit. This is not just a typical launch, but a major step in a new partnership that promises to redefine the motorsport landscape.

This major reveal will be the first official unveiling of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains unit. Ford, making its return to F1 after a 22-year hiatus, will play a pivotal role in this new era, working alongside Red Bull to introduce a cutting-edge engine that combines internal combustion with electrical power. The new hybrid power unit will be a significant departure from the current design, with nearly 300% more electrical power than ever before, running entirely on sustainable fuel.

The partnership is set to shake up the competition. Red Bull Racing has already dominated the 2023 and 2024 seasons, but with Ford now in the mix, the challenge to other powerhouse teams like Mercedes, Ferrari, and the new Audi engine supplier will intensify. The 2026 season will not only be a battle of speed but a test of innovation as the new engine regulations demand teams to adapt to a more sustainable future of racing.

In a joint interview with Sky Sports News, Laurent Mekies, Red Bull Racing team principal, emphasised the immense challenge of starting from scratch. “We’re respectful enough of the competition,” he said. “If these guys have been doing it for 50 or 60 years, we are starting from zero. We need to get all our people, our processes, and infrastructure right it’s going to take time, but we’ll do it the Red Bull-Ford way.”

Mekies’ words reflect the commitment to excellence that Red Bull and Ford are pouring into this ambitious venture. While the team’s 2026 car won’t be fully revealed until later in the season, the upcoming event in Detroit on January 15 will showcase the new livery and provide a sneak peek into the technological marvels being developed behind the scenes.

As the 2026 season draws nearer, the pressure is on to deliver. Testing kicks off with a private session in Barcelona starting January 26, followed by a double-header in Bahrain. But despite the excitement surrounding the new partnership and the upcoming testing, Red Bull is taking a long-term approach. “It’s not about who’s fastest in Barcelona testing in January,” Mekies stated. “It’s about getting the project right and developing it over the course of the season.”

Max Verstappen, the reigning F1 champion and the only driver confirmed for a Red Bull seat in 2026, will lead the charge into this new era. However, the rest of the lineup remains uncertain. Yuki Tsunoda, Verstappen’s current teammate, faces fierce competition from rising stars like Isack Hadjar, Liam Lawson, and the highly-rated Arvid Lindblad, who is currently competing in Formula 2.

As the new regulations reshape the sport, this partnership between Red Bull and Ford marks a pivotal moment for Formula 1. With a focus on sustainability, performance, and innovation, the 2026 season promises to be a thrilling chapter in F1’s storied history.