2026 RED BULL LIVERY: My HONEST Reaction!

Quick verdict

Red Bull went evolutionary, not revolutionary. The new Red Bull and VCARB liveries for 2026 keep the familiar look but add a few clever touches that make both cars feel refreshed. The headline change is the move to a glossy finish for the main Red Bull car, which lifts the visual impact on track. VCARB, meanwhile, barely strays from last year—subtle tweaks and sponsor nods rather than a full redesign.

The Red Bull livery: gloss, texture, and restraint

The Red Bull car has adopted a shiny finish that works very well under lights and in photographs. Up close, the paint is not flat; there is a fine pattern in the finish that gives depth rather than a simple coat of gloss. That texture shows when you zoom in and will make a notable difference in race photos and TV shots.

A couple of details stand out. The Red Bull logo now has a white outline for the first time in recent memory, and the logo itself is smaller than the blocky side signage seen in years like 2021. The Ford Racing logos are present on both sides—prominent but tasteful rather than overpowering.

Racing numbers have also been tweaked: they now appear as white characters surrounded by red. One small but noteworthy consequence of the championship shuffle is the return of number 3 to the grid, since the reigning champion did not retain the title.

VCARB: minimal change, purposeful accents

VCARB barely changed. If you liked last year’s VCARB look, you’ll like this one. The livery keeps its recognisable base and refines the details—less a redesign and more a steady hand. One visual cue worth noting is the increased use of green on the race suits and branding, an obvious nod to a sponsor with a green identity.

On-track photographers valued the VCARB last year because the white sections helped it pop, especially at night. With Red Bull turning glossy, the balance could shift; either car might steal the photographic spotlight depending on lighting conditions.

The launch: Detroit, drama, and a long wait

The event took place in Detroit at the restored Michigan Central Station—a dramatic backdrop that underlines the spectacle of a modern launch. It was cold, well below freezing for those who attended, and the reveal format followed the now-standard pattern: a lengthy buildup, speeches, films, and eventually the car.

The live reveal took a while to reach the car—roughly 43 minutes of buildup—so the show leaned into storytelling and spectacle. There were US-focused elements and voiceovers, and the presence of Ford leadership emphasised the new partnership angle. The actual reveal itself leaned into Red Bull flair: a plane at an airfield ripping the cover off the car was a perfectly on-brand moment.

DM-01: the engine story

The first engine has been christened DM-01, a tribute to a founding figure. The engine is Ford’s powertrain for the team, and the rollout included the emotional milestone of installing it into the chassis and firing it up for the first time at the Milton Keynes facility. That first fire-up is always a big moment—the sound, the teamwork, and the validation that the package is starting to come together.

The launch used some modern gimmicks—team members presenting 3D engine visuals with VR goggles, for example. It was a cheeky blend of heritage and tech-forward presentation: family and history on one side, VR and spectacle on the other.

Design rules and visual choices

A recent regulation requires at least 55% of a car to be painted or carry livery rather than plain carbon fiber. That rule creates space for teams to be creative with paint while still allowing visible carbon on certain surfaces for performance reasons. On these Red Bull machines, the spine retains exposed carbon fiber while most bodywork carries the livery, balancing aesthetics and engineering.

The smaller logo treatment and more refined sponsor placements point to a calmer visual strategy: clarity over clutter. Combined with gloss and applied patterning, the look is cleaner, but not anonymous.

Photographer’s perspective and on-track visibility

Which car will photograph better? Last year, VCARB had the advantage thanks to its white sections that popped under lights. This year, the glossy Red Bull might compete for attention—especially under floodlights. The first chance to see how the paint looks under artificial lighting will be at the Bahrain test schedule, where sunset and track lights will offer a real-world test.

Practical notes about testing: the Barcelona winter test runs from January 26 to 30. Each team has five test days available but can only run on three of those days. Some chatter suggests not every team will be ready on day one, but teams can choose any three days from the block. Media access at some private team events will be restricted—expect a handful of team photographers and videographers rather than free access around the circuit.

Key dates and what to expect next

• Barcelona shakedown: January 26–30 (teams run on three of five days)
• Bahrain: first realistic on-track photos under floodlights in early February
• Further launches: this was the first of ten livery reveals—the season will fill out with additional presentations in the coming weeks

Final thoughts

The 2026 Red Bull and VCARB liveries are confident updates: Red Bull with a glossy, textured finish and more measured branding; VCARB with small, purposeful changes. The partnership with Ford arrives with a symbolic engine name and visible branding, but the team’s visual identity remains recognisable. Expect photographers to have a field day once floodlights and full-speed footage reveal how that glossy paint reacts on track.

FAQ

What are the biggest visual changes to Red Bull for 2026?

The move to a glossy finish with a subtle patterned texture, a smaller Red Bull logo with a new white outline, and refined sponsor placements including visible Ford Racing logos. Racing numbers are now white with a red surround.

Why is the engine called DM-01?

DM-01 is a tribute name, recognising an important founding figure in the team’s history. The engine is a Ford powertrain and hitting the first chassis installation and fire-up was a major milestone.

When will the cars be seen on track for the first time?

The first on-track appearances will be in the Barcelona test block from January 26 to 30. Teams can run on three of the five days. The first significant floodlit images are likely to come from Bahrain in the second week of February.

Will the glossy finish affect photographs and TV images?

Yes. Gloss and textured paint catch light differently, adding depth and shine that will be especially noticeable under floodlights and in high-resolution photography. The final effect will depend on lighting and camera angles.

Will both Red Bull and VCARB be easy to spot during night sessions?

VCARB’s white elements helped it stand out last year; this year the glossy Red Bull could rival it, especially under lights. Expect both cars to be very visible depending on the shot and conditions.