Red Bull released images, video and renders of its 2026-spec RB22 on the opening day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. The team had earlier shown a showcar and livery at an event in Detroit but withheld detailed angles until on-track sessions began.

The RB22 is presented as an integrated package for the 2026 regulations: it follows the new chassis rules, uses active aerodynamics and is designed around an approximately 50:50 split between combustion and electric energy. Power comes from the DM01 power unit — Red Bull Ford Powertrains’ first in-house engine developed with Ford and named in tribute to the team’s late co‑founder Dietrich Mateschitz. Sister team Racing Bulls has already run its VCARB03 chassis with the DM01, giving Red Bull an early data point.

Driving duties are shared by four-time champion Max Verstappen and rookie Isack Hadjar; both debuted new helmet designs and Sparco race suits for the launch. Verstappen told Team Redline’s Twitch stream he felt “pretty chilled” and was relaxed about the car’s competitiveness. The Barcelona test runs for five days and teams are limited to a maximum of three running days; Red Bull chose to run from day one, matching Audi’s approach while other teams expected to start later. With early on-track mileage constrained, Red Bull is positioning the RB22 and DM01 as a combined statement of its technical direction for 2026, with detailed performance assessment pending the forthcoming track data.

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