The 2026 Formula 1 season officially kicked off in Detroit, where Red Bull unveiled the livery of its new RB22. The choice of Michigan Central Station was no coincidence: the event also celebrated the start of the technical partnership with Ford, marking a new era for the Milton Keynes team.
Under spectacular lights and a meticulously crafted stage design, Red Bull presented an evolved livery. The blue appears brighter, with a glossier finish. The design evokes the team’s past, while introducing elements of innovation and departure from recent years.
On stage were Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, ready to kick off the countdown to pre-season testing in Barcelona and Bahrain. The RB22 is the first Red Bull to debut with a power unit developed in-house with Ford, a key milestone following the team’s departure from its previous role as a customer team.
A lighter moment steals the show
However, the spotlight was stolen by a lighter, humorous moment. During the presentation of the new team kit, host Nicole Briscoe asked Verstappen to turn around and show the uniform. The Dutch driver replied with irony: “Do you want to see my backside?” The joke triggered laughter in the room and quickly went viral on social media.
New partnership, new expectations
Beyond the comedy moment, 2026 represents a profound technical shift. The new power units feature an almost equal split between the electric component and the internal combustion engine. For Red Bull, producing the power unit in-house with Ford means taking on new responsibilities, while gaining greater control over the project.
Max Verstappen enters the season after finishing second in 2025. His goal remains clear, and his ambitions are unchanged. Isack Hadjar, meanwhile, makes his debut in the main team after being promoted from Racing Bulls, carrying high expectations.
Detroit turned on the spotlight, but now the focus shifts to the track. Only the pre-season tests will reveal whether the new colors will truly lead the field in 2026.
The Detroit launch of the RB22 perfectly encapsulated the current state of Red Bull Racing: a team undergoing a massive technical transition with Ford, yet one that maintains the relaxed, confident atmosphere led by Max Verstappen. While the viral “butt joke” provided the entertainment, the underlying narrative of the evening was the sheer scale of the 2026 regulatory challenge. With Verstappen looking to reclaim his throne and Hadjar stepping into the spotlight, the partnership with Ford represents a high-stakes gamble that Red Bull hopes will define the next decade of Formula 1.
*max talking about the new team kit*
Interviewer: “Do you want to give us a little spin?”
Max: “Wanna see my ass?”
— Verstappen News (@verstappenews) January 16, 2026
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