First Red Bull RB22 Design Details Emerge with Double-Pushrod Suspension

The first rumored design details for Red Bull's 2026 challenger, the RB22, point to a significant shift in philosophy, with reports claiming the car will feature a double-pushrod suspension layout at both the front and rear. This move away from their long-standing front pullrod design is a direct response to the sweeping 2026 technical regulations, which prioritize mechanical predictability and new power unit packaging over the extreme aerodynamic concepts of the current ground-effect era.

Why it matters:

This design rumor is the first concrete glimpse into how Red Bull is adapting to F1's most radical rule change in a generation. The suspension layout is a foundational choice that influences every other aspect of the car's performance. Abandoning a successful design philosophy underscores the scale of the 2026 reset and highlights Red Bull's technical confidence as they embark on their first season as a full works team with their own Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engine.

The details:

• According to Italian publication Auto Racer, the RB22 is set to adopt a pushrod suspension on both axles, a departure from the front pullrod layout Red Bull has used since 2022.
• The change is facilitated by the 2026 shift away from ground-effect floors to flat-bottom cars, reducing the aerodynamic premium of the low-slung pullrod front end and increasing the importance of straightforward mechanical behavior.
• A double-pushrod layout is also believed to offer better packaging solutions for the new, more compact 2026 power units, a critical factor for the brand-new Red Bull Powertrains-Ford engine.
• Ferrari is rumored to be making a similar switch to a double-pushrod design for its 2026 car, codenamed Project 678, which would mark its first use of a rear pushrod since 2010.

The big picture:

While the chassis design is taking shape, the largest unknown surrounding the RB22 remains the performance and reliability of its new power unit. The entire grid is navigating major development hurdles with the new engine formula, leading the FIA to introduce a "safety-net" scheme (ADUO) to help struggling manufacturers catch up. Persistent rumors suggest Mercedes may have an early advantage, putting pressure on the new Red Bull-Ford partnership. Team principals have openly framed the engine project as a monumental challenge, with Laurent Mekies, Horner's successor, agreeing with Toto Wolff's analogy that building a competitive engine from scratch is like "climbing Mount Everest."

What's next:

The development race intensifies as the 2026 season approaches. Red Bull Racing and sister team Racing Bulls are scheduled for a joint Ford season-launch event in Detroit on January 25, 2026, offering the first official look at their new era. All eyes will then turn to the track, where the true competitive order between the new chassis philosophies and, more crucially, the next-generation power units will begin to be revealed.