Red Bull and Racing Bulls to Unveil 2026 Liveries in Detroit as New F1 Era Approaches
Red Bull Racing and sister team Racing Bulls are set to kick off their 2026 Formula 1 campaigns with a high-profile joint presentation in the United States, underlining the significance of the sport’s next technical era. The two teams will officially reveal their 2026 liveries on January 15 at Ford’s headquarters in Detroit, marking the first major public step in Red Bull’s landmark partnership with the American automotive giant.
The event represents more than a simple livery launch. From 2026, Red Bull will enter a new chapter in its Formula 1 history by running power units developed by its own engine division, Red Bull Powertrains, in collaboration with Ford. The partnership signals Red Bull’s full independence as a works manufacturer, following the conclusion of its long-standing engine supply arrangement. Hosting the launch in Detroit, the spiritual home of Ford, highlights the global importance of the collaboration and the shared ambitions of both brands.
Both Red Bull Racing and Racing Bulls are expected to showcase updated colour schemes for the new season, although the actual 2026 cars themselves are likely to remain under wraps for now. As has become common practice in Formula 1, early-season presentations will focus primarily on liveries, with full technical details reserved for pre-season testing or later launch events.
The timing of the Detroit reveal has been influenced by the unusually early start to the 2026 Formula 1 season. In a significant departure from recent calendars, the first pre-season test is scheduled to take place from January 26 to 30, behind closed doors. With less time than usual between the new year and on-track running, teams across the grid have been forced to bring forward their launch plans.
This compressed timeline has encouraged teams to prioritise early livery reveals, allowing them to meet commercial commitments and present their new partnerships while final development work continues in the background. For Red Bull, the January 15 event provides an ideal opportunity to introduce the Ford partnership to the public before attention shifts fully to testing and performance.
Following the Detroit presentation, Formula 1 teams will travel to Barcelona for the first on-track running of the new-generation cars. The late-January test will offer engineers and drivers their first real insight into how the radically revised 2026 regulations behave in practice. With new aerodynamic rules, revised power unit architecture and increased electrical deployment, the test is expected to be one of the most closely watched in recent years.
Further pre-season testing will take place in Bahrain, split across two sessions from February 11 to 13 and February 18 to 20. These tests will give teams additional mileage to refine their packages, assess reliability and evaluate performance trends before the opening race. Bahrain’s familiar conditions and modern facilities make it a key location for fine-tuning setups ahead of the season opener.
The 2026 Formula 1 campaign will officially begin earlier than usual, with the first race weekend scheduled for March 6 to 8 at the Australian Grand Prix. The early start is designed to create a smoother season flow and give teams sufficient preparation time despite the extensive technical changes. With a brand-new set of regulations in play, the opening races are expected to be highly competitive and potentially unpredictable.
For Red Bull, the stakes could hardly be higher. The team enters 2026 determined to remain at the sharp end of the grid while navigating the complexities of becoming a full works operation. The partnership with Ford brings additional resources, expertise and global visibility, but it also adds pressure to deliver immediately in a tightly contested field.
Racing Bulls, meanwhile, will benefit from closer technical alignment within the Red Bull structure as it looks to establish itself as a consistent midfield contender under the new rules. A shared launch event reinforces the strategic unity between the two teams as Formula 1 embarks on a new era.
As the countdown to 2026 gathers pace, the Detroit presentation promises to be one of the first major moments of the new season, setting the tone for a year that could redefine the competitive order in Formula 1.
