Adrian Newey, renowned for building seven championship-worthy Red Bull Formula 1 cars, is leaving the team but remains involved in the RB17’s development, a hypercar designed for Formula 1 lap times, while also engaging in projects outside of racing, including co-designing an Oyster yacht and the Aston Martin Valkyrie for Le Mans.
Highlights
‣ Adrian Newey, renowned for his contributions to Formula 1, has been involved in a variety of projects beyond the premier class of motorsport, including the development of the innovative Valkyrie car and designing his own Oyster yacht.
‣ Newey is leaving Red Bull Racing but will continue to contribute to the development of the RB17, his latest project, which is a sports car not intended for regular roads, with production limited to around 50 units and a price tag of approximately £5 million.
‣ The RB17 is designed to achieve Formula 1 lap times, featuring a two-seater configuration, a closed cockpit, and an estimated engine output of around 1,250bhp, making it significantly lighter and more powerful than typical road or track cars.
‣ The car combines a 1000 horsepower V10 engine with a 200 horsepower electric motor to enhance performance, including smoothing out torque and gear changes, and providing additional functionalities like reverse and first gear start-up.
Adrian Newey, a name synonymous with innovation in Formula 1, crafted seven championship-worthy Red Bull cars. Yet, his genius isn’t confined to the racetrack. The top designer’s latest venture, the RB17, is stirring up quite the buzz. But as he bids farewell to the Austrian team, his focus remains on this final masterpiece until its completion.
What’s the RB17 all about, you ask? Let’s dive in.
Before the RB17 became the talk of the town, Newey was busy with the Valkyrie. This beast, boasting over 1100 hp, was a brainchild of a collaboration between Red Bull Racing and Aston Martin back in 2016. Fast forward to 2021, and the Valkyrie saw further enhancements. By 2025, it’s set to make waves at the Le Mans 24 Hours. Aston Martin’s main sponsorship of Red Bull F1 laid the groundwork for this marvel.
But wait, there’s more to Newey than fast cars. In 2023, he ventured into the world of yachting. Partnering with Oyster, he’s personalizing an 885 model yacht. His dream? To sail the globe. According to Newey, racing’s allure lies in its simplicity – speed and reliability. Yacht building, however, introduces a subjective blend of enjoyment, performance, and usability.
### Newey’s RB17
In 2021, Red Bull opted for the RB16B, bypassing the RB17. Why? The 2020 and 2021 models were practically twins, thanks to unchanged regulations amid the pandemic. Despite this, the RB17 was quietly in the works. Slated for a 2024 reveal, this sports car is not your average road vehicle. With plans to produce around 50 units, each comes with a hefty £5 million price tag. Designed by Newey, it promises a two-seater experience with a closed cockpit and an engine roaring with 1,250bhp. Its goal? To rival F1 lap times.
Newey shared on Red Bull’s Talking Bull podcast the essence of the RB17’s design. It’s all about adaptability, aiming for F1 speeds even with a two-seater setup. The thought alone is astonishing.
The secret? A focus on weight reduction, ensuring it stays under 900 kilos. Combine that with a 1000 horsepower, V10 engine, and the result is pure auditory bliss. Not to forget, a 200 horsepower electric motor adds to its charm, smoothing out torque and gear changes, among other things. It’s a blend of power and innovation, making the RB17 a true testament to Newey’s genius.
And that, folks, is just scratching the surface.
