Red Bull Unveils Real RB22: Design Shifts and New Power Unit Revealed

Red Bull has officially lifted the veil on the real RB22, revealing significant aerodynamic revisions and the team's first in-house power unit just days before the start of winter testing. The images, captured by photographer Vladimir Rys, show a car that differs notably from the earlier show car, particularly around the sidepods and floor edges, marking a new era for the team.

Why it matters:

The 2026 season represents a massive transition for Red Bull. Not only is this the first car designed without legendary aerodynamicist Adrian Newey at the helm, but it also features the DM01 power unit—a bespoke engine developed by Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford. The performance of this package is critical to maintaining their competitive edge under the new regulations.

The details:

• Sidepod Evolution: The distinctive "overbite" inlet seen on the show car has been abandoned. The actual RB22 features wider, flatter inlet openings. The sidepods themselves are narrower, stopping short of the car's full width to expose the protruding side impact structures.
• Floor Concept: Red Bull has adopted a Ferrari-inspired approach at the floor edge. Instead of a continuous vertical element, the RB22 utilizes three horizontal airflow guide elements fixed to the chassis with diagonal struts.
• Aerodynamic Flow: The sidepods slope down aggressively and terminate well before the rear axle, ditching the traditional air ramp that directs flow toward the diffuser roof. It remains unclear if this air is being redirected to a diffuser opening similar to concepts seen on Ferrari and Mercedes.
• Conservative Suspension: As expected, Red Bull has retained a pushrod suspension configuration both front and rear, mirroring the setup on their sister team's car.
• Power Unit Debut: The car is powered by the DM01 V6 engine, named in honor of late founder Dietrich Mateschitz. This marks the end of the Honda partnership era and the beginning of the Ford collaboration at Milton Keynes.

Looking Ahead:

With technical leadership now under Pierre Waché, the team will conduct initial running in Barcelona behind closed doors. While testing is currently based at the Bedford wind tunnel, operations are set to transfer to Red Bull's new high-tech facility in Milton Keynes later in the season, signaling a new era for the reigning champions.