The model revealed at Goodwood is a design from last August. Newey said development work since then has made the car “a little bit smaller”.
Three tyre options will be offered. Each has been developed in conjunction with Michelin especially for the RB17, including a slick that unlocks the car’s full performance potential.
Although the car is not road legal, Newey suggested that people will be able to convert it for road use should they wish. Being a track-only car from the factory, it is not bound by legislation around emissions and safety although Newey said it has been designed to comply with LMH motorsport safety regulations.
The RB17 is not eligible to compete in any existing race series, so Red Bull will instead offer customers bespoke track days and experiences. While its F1 drivers, including Verstappen, will drive the car on the simulator to aid development, a much broader range of drivers will also be invited to test it to ensure that it will be as accessible as possible.
Red Bull will manufacture the 50 cars in-house over two years. Aside from the engine, which comes from Cosworth instead of Honda, it is using the same suppliers as it does for its F1 cars.
Q&A, Adrian Newey, chief technical officer, Red Bull Technology Group
Why has Red Bull decided to make this car?
When Red Bull does something, it always wants to do it to the highest level and to create a new landmark. Maybe this sounds a little arrogant, but I think this car will go down as a landmark car. It’s a car that you can arrive at a track, put your helmet on, turn the key, drive off down the pit lane and do a Formula 1 lap time. That, I think, is a totally unique thing.
