Max Verstappen, Sergio Perez, Christian Horner and a bevy of athletes, members of the press and other celebrities were on hand as Oracle Red Bull Racing unveiled their challenger’s livery for the 2023 Formula 1 World Championship season.
The RB19 was unveiled at an event in New York City – the first F1 team to ever market its car in the United States.
The launch came hours after Red Bull team boss Christian Horner sat down with ahead of the 2023 F1 challenger’s debut.
“It’s incredibly special to be here in New York, in the Big Apple, USA,” said Horner at the start of the event.
“The USA plays such a big role in Formula 1 these days – three Grands Prix, Las Vegas are also coming on the calendar this year. So it seemed only fitting to unveil the RB19 and our plans for the upcoming season here in NYC.”
Oracle Red Bull Racing unveiled the RB19’s livery at an event in New York City on Friday
The livery looks awfully similar to last year’s championship car by its designers and drivers
The event was attended by a number of key Red Bull members including champion Max Verstappen
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen has got his first look at the car in which he hopes to clinch a third title.
“I think our livery has been pretty similar for a couple of years, but I actually always think it’s a cool looking car,” said Verstappen.
“We had a lot of success like [this] So why do we need to change it a lot?’
Verstappen also spoke about his chances for the upcoming season as Red Bull look to win another Drivers’ and Constructors’ Championship.
“I feel like I’ve achieved everything I wanted in my sporting career, but then it’s just about staying there because it’s probably even harder than getting there,” admitted Verstappen.
“And that’s why I thought last year was a good test to see if we can do it, but also from my side I’m always trying to improve because nobody is perfect.”
Verstappen says he likes the look of the car, despite the few changes in its looks
Both drivers also spoke about the growth of the sport in the United States, with Sergio Perez saying Red Bull feels like a favorite with the Americans.
“It’s growing so much in the US, support for our team … we’re going to be this country’s favorite team, which is great,” Perez said.
“Netflix has brought the people, the fans, so much closer to the drivers, to the teams… we go through so much nine months out of the year.
“We have good days, bad days, we show a lot of emotions and the fans are always with us, so we’re very privileged to have them.”
Sergio Perez says he believes Red Bull will “become the favorite team” among American F1 fans.
Red Bull team boss Christian Horner said there will be a competition to design liveries for the car
RBR also revealed their plans to let their fans design the liveries for their cars, which will compete in the three American Grands Prix in Miami, Austin and Las Vegas.
“For the first time ever, we will be involving fans to design the livery for these three races,” said Horner.
“It’s going to be a competition, it’s a huge opportunity and we’ve thought about it long and hard. But we know that’s what people want to see to participate.’
Red Bull’s third driver, Daniel Ricciardo, was also present at the launch and spoke about his role and what it was like to return to the team he was most successful with.
“It’s like coming home and after this second phase of my career it feels warm and cosy, lots of familiar faces,” said Ricciardo.
He said he will take part in some races while also noting a lot of work on the simulator and helping behind the scenes with the development of the car.
Red Bull’s third driver Daniel Ricciardo also spoke about his role and coming back to the RB family
It also came just hours after announced that Red Bull and Ford would be working together from the 2026 season.
“We considered many options as good business people and wanted to go in the direction that was authentic for us, so we decided to enter into a strategic partnership and a technical partnership with RBPT to end Formula 1 in 2026,” said Ford President and CEO Jim Farley.
“It’s a big moment for the Ford family… we’re really excited about the sustainability of the sport, we have the same mission at Ford and we can’t wait to race with you.”
“It’s a big moment for our team at Red Bull Powertrains as we embark on this journey for 2026 to welcome the Ford brand back to Formula 1,” said Horner.
“You know, becoming a Red Bull Ford engine and powertrain is going to be incredibly exciting for us, to be able to draw on your experience, your EV knowledge and your extensive resources is hugely exciting.”
Horner and Ford President Jim Farley (R) unveiled an upcoming strategic partnership
Fans on social media were quick to taunt Red Bull for the lack of nuance in the RB19’s design – many felt that all they were doing was copying and pasting their design from last year.
One user wrote: “I waited an hour for a completely identical Red Bull, even though I knew from the start that it would be a completely identical Red Bull.”
Former WTF1 presenter Tom Bellingham wrote: “Red Bull literally got a guy to parachute out of space and create some of the coolest viral content…and yet still choose to put his F1 car on the most boring way to start imaginable.”
Another Twitter user said: “I’m convinced that the Red Bull Racing artist comes up with an amazing new livery every year, but he keeps closing Photoshop without even thinking about saving.”
F1 fans were quick to criticize Red Bull’s launch, saying the car hasn’t changed from last year