Reigning Formula 1 champions Red Bull have unveiled their new car for 2023 in their ‘season launch’ in New York.
And there was a major piece of Formula 1 2023 news to come out of that launch as Red Bull revealed their new partnership with American car company Ford, which begins in 2026.
Meanwhile, Max Verstappen tips Mercedes to be his top rivals this season as the Silver Arrows return to the track.
Read on below as SBOTOP shares all of the latest news and updates from the Formula 1 world.
Red Bull launch new car for 2023 season
Red Bull have unveiled their new car for their upcoming title defence in the 2023 Formula 1 season during a grand ceremony in New York City.
Reigning two-time world champion Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez joined team principal Christian Horner on stage for the launch of the RB19, which has some big shoes to fill after the dominance of the RB18 last season.
Further details on the new Red Bull car are likely to be disclosed during pre-season testing in Bahrain, which begins on February 23.
Red Bull to partner with Ford on engine in 2026
Aside from their new car launch, Red Bull also made a blockbuster announcement as they revealed their new engine partnership with American car giants Ford.
Ford and Red Bull Powertrains will collaborate to develop a next-gen power unit for both Red Bull Racing and sister team AlphaTauri from 2026 until at least 2030.
“This will be a true strategic technical partnership; Ford will assist with battery and hybrid technology and much more to keep the team ahead of the competition,” said Red Bull team boss Christian Horner.
“I am already very excited about the possibilities that this partnership will offer both of us globally.”
This partnership marks Ford’s return to F1 after more than two decades away. The American company has a storied history in F1; they have powered 10 constructors’ championships and 13 drivers’ championships, and rank third in terms of most Grand Prix wins by an engine manufacturer with 176, trailing only Ferrari (243) and Mercedes (212).
Jim Farley, President and CEO, Ford Motor Company, commented: “Ford’s return to Formula 1 with Red Bull Racing is all about where we are going as a company – increasingly electric, software-defined, modern vehicles and experiences.
“F1 will be an incredibly cost-effective platform to innovate, share ideas and technologies, and engage with tens of millions of new customers.”
Verstappen on Red Bull’s main rivals in 2023
Red Bull’s Max Verstappen successfully defended his Formula 1 title last season. The Dutchman dominated the grid as he finished with a record-setting 15 wins – the most race victories in a single F1 season – and was almost 150 points clear at the top.
The Formula 1 2023 odds have Verstappen as the favourite to win his third straight world championship this season, but the Dutchman expects Red Bull’s two closest challengers from last season – Mercedes and Ferrari – to be strong this upcoming season, with the Silver Arrows set to be their main rival.
“I think even at the end of the year it looked like sometimes they [Mercedes] had it together, and sometimes not. So, from my side, it’s difficult to say because I’m not part of the team, but I guess we’ll find out this year. If they fully understand everything they wanted to improve on the car, of course, they will be our main rival,” said Verstappen of Mercedes.
“But I think Ferrari will be strong – but how strong is difficult to say. But Mercedes have shown of course over the last few years that they’ve been really, really, really strong, but they have a good group of people as well.”
Mercedes drivers begin testing in France
Speaking of Mercedes, Lewis Hamilton and George Russell are back on the track as they are busy testing Pirelli tyres at the Circuit Paul Ricard in France.
Russell had an impressive debut season with Mercedes in 2022 as he finished fourth in the drivers’ standings and won his first-ever F1 Grand Prix in the penultimate race at Sao Paulo.
Meanwhile, Hamilton had a somewhat disappointing campaign as he finished in sixth and failed to win a single race all season for the first time in his glittering F1 career.
Mercedes are set to launch their 2023 car at Silverstone on February 15, before heading off to Bahrain for pre-season testing from February 23-25.
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