Hidden up to now in secrecy, Red Bull officially rolled out its RB19 title contender at the start of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Thursday.

The reigning world champions had presented a launch version of their car in New York, with team boss Christian Horner later confirming that their actual 2023 design would be different.

And indeed, the car that was unveiled on Thursday morning in Bahrain at the start of pre-season testing not only differs from its launch version but also significantly from last year's all-conquering RB18.

Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 23.02.2023. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19 with flow-vis paint. 23.02.2023. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Price / XPB Imagesmore
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 23.02.2023. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Bearne / XPB Images
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 23.02.2023. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Price / XPB Images
Max Verstappen (NLD) Red Bull Racing RB19. 23.02.2023. Formula 1 Testing, Sakhir, Bahrain, Day One. - www.xpbimages.com, EMail: requests@xpbimages.com © Copyright: Moy / XPB Images

 

The new-spec machine features reprofiled aerodynamics, with changes to the car's nose and engine cover, but also to its distinctive sidepods that now include a full undercut tunnel.

Red Bull heads into the 2023 in the wake of a dominant campaign in 2022 during which the Milton Keynes-based outfit won 17 races, with Max Verstappen conquering his second world title with 15 wins.

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Michael Delaney

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