Red Bull and Ford to Unveil 2026 Challengers in Detroit Launch

Red Bull and Racing Bulls are set to kick off the 2026 Formula 1 season with a major launch event in Detroit, officially inaugurating their strategic partnership with Ford. Taking place on January 15, the event will not only reveal the new liveries for both teams but also showcase the Red Bull Powertrains project powered by the American manufacturer.

Why it matters:

This event marks a pivotal moment for Red Bull as it transitions to its own powertrain technology with Ford support, aiming to maintain dominance amid the new 2026 regulations. The choice of Detroit underscores the significance of the American partnership, while the simultaneous launch of both Red Bull and Racing Bulls highlights the unified technical direction across the Red Bull family as they face a new engine era.

The details:

• Location and Schedule: The event takes place in Detroit, Michigan, the home of Ford. The day begins with Ford's broader motorsport presentation at 19:00 local time (00:00 GMT), followed by the Red Bull and Racing Bulls car reveals at 22:00 local time (03:00 GMT).
• Global Access: Both segments will be livestreamed globally on YouTube. Fans can tune into the Ford Racing channel for the opener and the Red Bull Racing channel for the team-specific unveilings.
• Driver Lineups: Red Bull will present Max Verstappen alongside new teammate Isack Hadjar. Racing Bulls will showcase Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad as their 2026 pairing.
• Special Appearances: Daniel Ricciardo is expected to attend, given his strengthening ties with Ford, adding star power to the occasion.

What's next:

Following this high-profile launch, all eyes will turn to pre-season testing to see how the new Ford power unit performs against rivals like Mercedes and Ferrari. The 2026 grid is shaping up to be one of the most competitive in years.