Words: Andrew Sluys
Published 5 January 2026
Set to make its official debut later this year, Red Bull Advanced Technologies has released fresh images of its track-only RB17 hypercar, showing changes from what first appeared at Goodwood in 2025.
The RB17’s V10 heart has remained unchanged since its first appearance, but there are a few subtle exterior changes that have taken place.
Changes include the larger hockey stick-style headlights, exterior mirrors, and the windscreen wiper.
Red Bull Advanced Technologies also revealed that this prototype is a little larger than what we saw in 2025, but has retained its Formula 1-sized footprint.
According to Top Gear, who sat down with Red Bull Advanced Technologies technical director Rob Gray, Adrian Newey is still somewhat involved with the RB17, despite leaving for Aston Martin last year.
“Adrian’s allowed [to consult] on the project, and he’s still interested in what’s going on,” Gray said. “But to an extent we got what we needed from him, we know what he wanted the car to look like and he’s always on the end of the phone if we need him.”
Another change Newey was reportedly responsible for was moving the exhaust into the engine cover.
In the RB17, power is provided by a Cosworth V10 that will reportedly rev to 15,000rpm and make 1,000hp (735kW). It will be paired with an electric motor providing an additional 149kW.
We’ve also been given our first glimpse of the RB17’s interior, which looks just as futuristic as you’d imagine.
Considering Red Bull Advanced Technologies is only planning to build 50 of these RB17s, you can almost guarantee all have already been spoken for, and have sold for at least a seven-figure sum.
