Red Bull RB17: The Two-Seat F1 Car

Red Bull has pulled back the curtain on its first customer track car, the RB17, at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.

This two-seat mid-engine hypercar packs a jaw-dropping 1,200 horsepower from an electrically assisted 4.5-liter naturally aspirated V-10 that can scream up to 15,000 rpm. The package weighs less than 1,984 pounds, promising performance levels comparable to a Formula 1 car.

The RB17's lightweight figure is thanks to its carbon fiber two-seater monocoque chassis, with the engine acting as a stressed member–it's literally built like Max Verstappen's RB20. Observing minds will note the RB17 is serialized within Red Bull's F1 car nomenclature, slotted between the RB16 run during 2020 and 2021, and the RB18 from 2022.

Power is sent to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential gearbox and a hydraulically locking active limited-slip differential. There's no reverse gear in the conventional sense; reversing duties are handled by an electric motor integrated into the drivetrain. The electric motor contributes 200 hp, while the V-10 brings 1,000 hp– and will run on pump gas– top speed is a blistering 217 mph.

Designed by Red Bull's departing engineering wizard Adrian Newey, the RB17 boasts impressive aerodynamics, generating up to 3,747 pounds of downforce—nearly double its own weight. You can see the family resemblance to Red Bull's F1 cars in the aerodynamics. The RB17 was developed during F1's transition to ground-effect aerodynamics, and the car shares similar features and philosophies with the RB18–the floor and wing end fences, along with the side pods look like they were stolen from the F1 car.

The car also features wheel wake management systems to smooth airflow around the tires, and both the front and rear wings have active elements to adjust downforce as needed. The RB17’s suspension system is equally advanced, with adjustable pushrod suspension on all four corners, active height, and roll control, and a lift mode for low-speed bumps. The car has hydraulically assisted power steering and carbon brakes all around, with the rear brakes controlled via a brake-by-wire system.

Encasing those brakes are 18-inch carbon fiber wheels fitted with Michelin racing slicks, developed specifically for the RB17. Customers can also opt for 20-inch wheels with high-performance treaded tires. Custom seat options, an adjustable pedal box, and built-in storage for race suits and helmets are standard. Each car comes with a 2-year/4,000-kilometer warranty. Routine servicing can be handled at Red Bull's headquarters, a local service center, or the customer’s location, with major services required every 8,000 kilometers (about 5,000 miles).

Like other elite track-only supercars, Red Bull plans to host exclusive events for RB17 owners, offering them the chance to push their cars to the limit on the track. Owners will also gain access to Red Bull Racing celebrations, simulator sessions, and various social events.

The price doesn't matter with all 50 units already sold; production is set to begin next year.

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