As the spotlight of the Formula 1 World Championship shifts towards the next round in Canada, the operational phase of one of the most extreme projects ever conceived in motorsport has come to life in Milton Keynes. According to an exclusive interview given to Autocar, Red Bull Advanced Technologies has officially begun the final assembly of the first of the 50 RB17 units. This hypercar, valued at £5 million, represents the technological legacy of Adrian Newey before his move to Aston Martin.
The project has now entered a crucial stage inside the vast warehouse at the Red Bull campus, which currently hosts both the dedicated RB17 production line and the team’s new Formula 1 wind tunnel. The car is not merely an engineering celebration, but a true challenge to the laws of physics: its on-track debut for initial development sessions is expected within a few weeks, marking the beginning of a journey that will lead to customer deliveries over the next two years.
The beating heart: a 1200 hp V10
The RB17 combines a naturally aspirated V10 engine developed by Cosworth with an Xtrac hybrid system, capable of delivering a total output of 1200 horsepower. Of this figure, 1000 hp comes from the internal combustion engine, while the remaining 200 hp is provided by the electric motor. Thanks to an ultra-light weight of just 900 kg, the power-to-weight ratio enables performance levels that surpass those of a modern Formula 1 car.
The project’s Technical Director, Rob Gray, explained the almost accidental origins of the vehicle: “It’s something Adrian sketched in a year when he was bored during the Christmas period,” the engineer revealed. “The car is now a tangible reality, and simulations suggest a lap time at Spa-Francorchamps of around 1 minute 38 seconds, about one second faster than current Formula 1 cars.”
Adrian Newey’s final gift to Red Bull
Despite Newey’s departure, his contribution remained crucial until the very last moment, introducing key aerodynamic changes just before the design was frozen. One of the most innovative solutions concerns airflow management at the rear of the car: “The addition of a long spine on the engine cover, from which the V10 exhaust exits to blow under the rear wing, is Adrian Newey’s farewell gift,” Gray emphasised. “It is a solution that required extensive development to manage thermal challenges.”
The RB17 features a highly sophisticated active suspension system that keeps the platform stable, allowing the bodywork to generate up to 1700 kg of downforce. However, to protect the tyres and reduce drag on straights, active aerodynamic surfaces intervene above 150 km/h to partially reduce the load. Every element, from air intakes to wing profiles, has been refined through rigorous aerodynamic testing to maximise efficiency and overall performance.
Analog philosophy and future road potential
The RB17 cockpit has been designed to deliver a pure driving experience, free from digital distractions, with a two-seat layout that optimises the frontal area. Rob Gray described this design philosophy in detail: “The cabin is controlled by knobs and dials, not screens,” he explained, “while the front-hinged doors allow occupants to lower themselves into the cockpit more easily compared to traditional gullwing designs.”
Although the RB17 has been conceived exclusively for track-day use, there is already a realistic possibility of seeing this hypercar on public roads. The company Lanzante is currently studying a conversion kit for road homologation: “All we have to do now is deliver the car Adrian wanted,” Gray concluded. “Newey continues to follow the car’s progress, and a return to Milton Keynes to see it in person is very likely.”
The transition of the RB17 from digital sketches to a physical assembly line marks the end of an era for Red Bull’s engineering department. By combining a high-revving V10 with Newey’s signature aerodynamic mastery, the project ensures his legacy at Milton Keynes remains etched in carbon fiber and record-breaking lap times long after his departure.
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