Red Bull's 2026 Overhaul: Ford Power, New Teammate, and Number 3

Red Bull enters the 2026 season with a radical transformation, unveiling the Ford-powered RB22 alongside Racing Bulls in Michigan. Max Verstappen welcomes new teammate Isack Hadjar as the team transitions from a Honda customer to a full-fledged power unit manufacturer with technical support from Ford.

Why it matters:

This marks a pivotal moment for the team as it becomes a power unit manufacturer for the first time. While the partnership with Ford brings the Blue Oval back to F1, Red Bull faces the immense challenge of competing with established giants like Mercedes and Ferrari, who possess decades of engine development experience. The pressure is on RBPT to deliver reliability and performance immediately to support Verstappen's title defense.

The details:

• Power Unit Shift: Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) takes over, with Ford providing major technical backing. Christian Horner highlighted the steep learning curve, noting rivals have nearly 70 years of experience compared to RBPT's start-from-scratch approach.
• Number Change: After losing the #1 plate to Lando Norris, Verstappen will finally sport his favorite #3. A late regulation change allowed permanent number swaps, and with Daniel Ricciardo's blessing, Verstappen claimed the number he missed out on in 2015.
• New Teammate: Isack Hadjar joins the senior team, stepping up alongside the three-time world champion.
• Livery Launch: The team hints at a potential livery change, something Verstappen has long desired, to be revealed at the Ford launch event.

What's next:

The RB22 will hit the track for a private test in Barcelona at the end of January, with a possible filming day for an initial shakedown beforehand. All eyes will be on the new power unit's performance and the updated livery design.