Red Bull to Execute Near-Total Redesign for 2027 RB23

Red Bull is pivoting toward a complete architectural redesign for the 2027 season. Technical Director Pierre Waché has revealed that the RB23 will be an almost entirely new machine, moving away from the RB22's framework to ensure the team returns to the pinnacle of Formula 1.

Why it matters:

After a rocky start to the 2026 campaign, Red Bull managed to recover late in the season with victories in Sepang and Singapore. However, with the 2026 titles now out of reach for Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar, the team is treating 2027 as a "clean slate" opportunity. By avoiding a gradual evolution of the current car, Red Bull aims to maximize the second year of the regulations and erase any lingering performance deficits.

The details:

• Minimal Carry-over: Waché explicitly stated that "close to nothing" from the RB22 will transfer to the RB23, indicating a drastic departure from current design philosophies.
• Budget Cap Optimization: To avoid wasting resources on iterative updates to a chassis that had a slow start, the team is focusing its budget on entirely new parts rather than modifying existing ones.
• Total Overhaul: The redesign will span three critical pillars:
  • Packaging: A complete rethink of how internal components are housed for better efficiency.
  • Aerodynamics: New surfaces and flows to improve overall downforce and drag.
  • Mechanicals: Fundamental components, including the chassis and the gearbox, will be entirely new.

The big picture:

Red Bull's 2026 trajectory—beginning with struggles and ending with a performance surge following Azerbaijan upgrades—has provided a blueprint for what the car should be. The team is now leveraging this late-season momentum to ensure the RB23 doesn't suffer the same teething issues, aiming for a dominant start to the 2027 season.

What's next:

All eyes are now on how Maranello and Mercedes respond to this aggressive pivot. As Red Bull commits to a high-risk, high-reward total redesign, the 2027 season is shaping up to be a definitive battle of technical philosophies in the current regulation era.