Red Bull unveils striking Honda-powered RB15 F1 car

Red Bull has launched its first-ever Formula 1 car to be powered by Honda ahead of the 2019 season, featuring a dramatic “special edition” livery. 

The quadruple world champions took the wraps off its RB15 on a day that will feature three F1 team launches, with Mercedes and the rebranded Racing Point squad also unveiling their respective cars on Wednesday. Red Bull has described its new design – which features a deeper navy blue and red patterned livery with no yellow – as a “one-off” livery. 

Having been unable to pull off a title challenge with long-term engine suppliers Renault during the V6 hybrid era, Red Bull has opted for the same Honda power units used by its sister squad Toro Rosso for the upcoming campaign. 

Honda endured a disastrous three-year spell with McLaren on its return to the sport in 2015 but recovered well as it linked up with Toro Rosso last season. 

The Japanese manufacturer’s encouraging gains throughout 2018 prompted Red Bull to make the switch and bring to an end a 12-year partnership with Renault that heralded all four of its drivers’ and constructors’ world championship titles between 2010 and 2013.

Red Bull claimed 48 of its 59 grand prix victories prior to the start of the current cycle of engine regulations in 2014 and has taken just 11 in the five years since. 

For 2019, the Milton Keynes-based squad will field a revised driver line-up following Daniel Ricciardo’s shock departure to Renault, as it seeks to move into a position in which it can finally challenge for titles and improve on its third-place finish from last season. 

2016 GP2 champion Pierre Gasly has been promoted from its junior team following an impressive first full-season at Toro Rosso, with the Frenchman partnering five-time race winner Max Verstappen.

Verstappen will be the first to get behind the wheel of the RB15 when it breaks cover at Silverstone later on Wednesday for its first shakedown run, before Gasly gets a turn in the afternoon.