Newey set for shock Red Bull return… well, sort of

Aston Martin managing technical partner Adrian Newey is heading back to Red Bull. Well, technically at least. 

The legendary designer who helped create some of Formula 1’s most dominant machines will make a surprise return to the Milton Keynes-based ed Bull fold at this weekend’s Goodwood Festival of Speed where he will unleash one of the most extreme creations he ever helped bring to life.

Newey will take the wheel of the spectacular RB17 hypercar and guide it up Goodwood’s iconic hillclimb, offering fans a rare glimpse of the £5 million machine in action.

It may not be an F1 comeback, but for Red Bull it is a powerful reminder of the engineering genius that shaped its racing empire.

Newey reunited with his monster creation

The RB17 represents one of Red Bull’s most ambitious engineering projects away from Formula 1.

Limited to just 50 examples, each carrying a price tag of around £5 million, the hypercar was conceived as a no-compromise track machine combining cutting-edge aerodynamics with breathtaking performance.

At its heart sits a Cosworth-developed 4.5-litre V10 engine producing 1,000bhp, with the hybrid system pushing total output to an astonishing 1,200bhp.

However, Goodwood will not be the place where Red Bull unleashes the RB17’s full potential. The hillclimb runs are designed as a demonstration rather than a maximum-performance test, with more serious track evaluations planned later in the year.

Newey will not be alone in showcasing the machine. Red Bull drivers including Isack Hadjar, Yuki Tsunoda and Alisha Palmowski will also take part in the event.

Red Bull celebrates its engineering DNA at Goodwood

The bulls' team principal Laurent Mekies described the festival appearance as a celebration of the creativity and innovation behind the project.

"Goodwood is the perfect place to celebrate what Red Bull Engineering is all about. It brings together our heritage, our passion for innovation, and the incredible talent of the people behind our project," said the Frenchman.

Mekies believes seeing the RB17 run in front of fans will represent a major milestone for everyone involved in creating the hypercar.

"Seeing RB17 come to life and run in front of the fans is a very special moment. It represents years of dedication, creativity, and engineering excellence from an extraordinary team.

“We’re incredibly proud of what they have achieved and look forward to sharing that experience with everyone at Goodwood.”

Beyond the RB17, Red Bull will bring more pieces of its racing history to the famous hill. The championship-winning Red Bull RB9 will make the climb, while Palmowski’s F1 Academy car will also join the action.

Fans attending the festival will also be treated to a static display featuring some of Red Bull’s most memorable liveries, including the original launch colours of the Red Bull RB1, the Japanese-inspired design from last season, and the team’s current gloss finish.

• Read also: Red Bull unleashes final evolution of Adrian Newey-designed RB17

For Newey, the Goodwood appearance offers a fascinating reunion with a machine born from the same relentless pursuit of performance that defined his Formula 1 career.

The only difference? This time, there are no championship points at stake – just a 1,200bhp reminder of what happens when one of motorsport’s greatest minds is given almost no limits.

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