Christian Horner, chief executive of Red Bull Advanced Technologies, has revealed some interesting new facts related to the RB17 hypercar announced in 2022, adding that the special edition track car will debut this year and which technologies will be pushed through Formula 1 will characterise its performance.
Before that, we knew that 50 examples would be made, with a V8 hybrid powertrain that would generate more than 1,100 horsepower, and that that structure would begin in 2025, but since the announcement in July 2022, surely no official news has come from Red Bull. In fact, the only data we’ve had since then came in October last year, when Max Verstappen hinted that the RB17 could compete at Le Mans.
But now, a Sky Sports interview with Christian Horner has given us a little more insight, with Horner revealing that “the first on-track sports [. . . ] will be unveiled in 2024. “
In addition to a new arrival date, we are now also informed that the hypercar described by Horner as “Adrian Newey Unleashed” will employ several interesting technologies. Like the new Formula 1 cars, the RB17’s aerodynamics will take advantage of ground effect, but it will also feature curved side skirts and a blown diffuser, two inventions in the F1 world that were temporarily banned because they were too good.
Although it could be assumed that the new Red Bull Powertrains department could acquire only the engine for the RB17, this company focuses exclusively on F1 engines. So where could the V8 come from? Rumours of a Porsche-Red Bull partnership persist despite the former’s obvious loss of interest in the sport, and Porsche has been running on a generation of engines that proves more suited to a track device than a road car, however, the source of the RB17 engine source remains a sign of inquiry.
What we do know is how potent it will be.
The RB17 would be forced to use a twin-turbo V8 that would generate 1,100 hp on its own, while a power recovery formula would force an electric motor that would deliver an additional 150 hp, which would be used to minimize turbo lag and close torque gaps. In addition to parts such as the power train, gears and glazing, the entire hyconsistent withcar will be manufactured through Red Bull Advanced Technologies, which aims to build 15 sets per year.
The Aston Martin Valkyrie was also originally designed thanks to Red Bull Racing’s aerodynamic genius, but Adrian Newey was forced to make several compromises as it is a road car. Without those restrictions, the RB17 will be even more excessive, but it will also arrive on time. unlike the F1-inspired road special editions; The Valkyrie, Mercedes-AMG ONE and other attempts to recreate the F1 experience are hampered by homologation requirements.
On that note, Horner and Red Bull are reportedly considering the possibility of a road-legal version. We hope they give it a shot.