The words of Alan Permane and Peter Bayer, team principal and chief executive officer of Racing Bulls, spoken during the presentation of the new VCARB livery, underline the importance of the team’s latest strategic direction as Formula 1 moves towards a new technical era.
Red Bull and Racing Bulls together at Ford’s home
On a cold and snowy night in Detroit, the spotlight was not only on Red Bull, but also on the official unveiling of the new – and at the same time familiar – colours of Racing Bulls. While fans are still waiting to discover the actual shapes of the RB22 and VCARB03, which will take to the track for shakedown tests in Barcelona from January 26 to 30, the event focused on celebrating the presence of Ford blue on the liveries of both cars.
This visual element serves as a clear symbol of the new partnership with the American automotive giant, a collaboration that the leadership of both teams hopes will prove to be long-lasting and successful. The shared identity on the cars reflects a broader technical and cultural alliance that will play a key role in the build-up to the 2026 Formula 1 regulations.
Alongside Laurent Mekies, who attended a Red Bull car launch for the first time in his role as team principal and chief executive officer of the entire group, Racing Bulls were represented by CEO Peter Bayer and team boss Alan Permane. Permane is an engineer with vast experience, promoted to lead the Faenza pit wall following Mekies’ unexpected move to Milton Keynes last summer.
The words of Peter Bayer and Alan Permane
“This presentation,” explained Racing Bulls chief executive officer Peter Bayer, “reflects the evolution of Visa Cash App Racing Bulls both as a brand and as a racing team. From Detroit as the backdrop, which represents our partnership with Ford, to the creators, the fans and the communities we involved in this launch, everything demonstrates our ambition to be a team that puts culture at the centre of what it does.”
Alan Permane, who is beginning his first full Formula 1 season as team principal after already experiencing what the role involves during the final months of 2025, added: “2026 represents one of the biggest technical changes that Formula 1 has ever seen, and the partnership with Ford right at the start of this journey is extremely significant for us.”
Permane continued by highlighting the broader technical vision behind the project: “The Red Bull Ford Powertrains programme brings together world-class engineering, innovation and racing DNA, and it puts Racing Bulls in a strong position as this sport enters a new era.”
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