In 2022, Crimson Bull Superior Applied sciences (RBAT) introduced the event of a brand new hypercar, the RB17. RBAT is the industrial know-how arm for the Oracle Crimson Bull Racing Components 1 workforce — akin to Williams Superior Engineering, it is a spot to market applied sciences developed for F1 and to make use of engineers lower from the F1 workforce when the game launched a value cap. The track-only automobile’s tough specs within the announcement have been a twin-turbocharged V8 hybrid powertrain making 1,250 horsepower, bodywork incorporating each helpful F1 efficiency support each authorized and banned, a value of 5 million kilos ($6.4M U.S.) plus taxes and choices, and a market launch in 2025. Evo journal, by way of an interview Crimson Bull workforce principal Christian Horner gave to Sky Sports activities, revealed the debut’s been pushed as much as this yr as a substitute of 2025 and supplied a number of extra particulars on what’s inbound.
An unnamed third get together is constructing the twin-turbo V8 engine and, if not the complete transmission, the gearsets inside. Crimson Bull nonetheless is not able to disclose the engine maker, so we’ll put two placeholder potentialities right here. First, Crimson Bull introduced the RB17 in June 2022, stating that the coupe was within the “advanced stages of development.” Porsche started making noises about becoming a member of F1 in 2021, then introduced it could pair with Crimson Bull in July 2022, one month after the RB17 information. And Porsche is aware of all about hybridized twin-turbo V8s and racy monitor vehicles. The collaboration course of went far sufficient to disclose that Porsche deliberate a ten-year venture that concerned taking a 50% stake in Crimson Bull F1. In March 2023, each events deep-sixed the deal over a disagreement a couple of controlling stake, however there is not any cause the breakup would want to finish a possible powertrain partnership for the RB17.
Second, the placeholder we might like to see: A Ford engine within the RB17. One month earlier than Crimson Bull and Porsche formally hit the rocks, Ford introduced it could return to F1 with Crimson Bull in 2026. We do not know what engine sits behind the RB17’s cockpit, and suspect the prospect of it sporting a Blue Oval badge (for due trigger, not badge engineering) are shut sufficient to zero to be thought of zero, however that does not cease us from considering it could be nice to see.
Horner mentioned the RB17’s goal weight is 900 kilograms (1,984 kilos). Prime Gear, which drove Crimson Bull’s most up-to-date track-only hypercar venture, the non-hybrid, V12-powered Aston Martin Valkyrie AMR Professional, mentioned it weighs 1,009 kg (2,225 lbs). The track-only model of the road-legal Gordon Murray Automotive T.50, referred to as the T.50s, weighs 851 kg (1,878 kilos). For comparability, final yr’s minimal weight for an F1 automobile was 798 kg (1,759 kilos).
Crimson Bull’s concentrating on a decrease heart of gravity for its 900 kg than discovered on the Valkyrie AMR Professional. The RB17’s mentioned to have an extended wheelbase than that of the 124-inch span on the Aston Martin, the Professional’s wheelbase itself stretched 15 inches past the wheelbase of the common street Valkyrie. The RB17’s additionally anticipated with bigger wheels, too, which means hoops bigger than 18 inches, a bit stunning seeing that will outdo the spec sizes for F1 and LMP1 vehicles as nicely.
Motorsports followers have lengthy mused on what Crimson Bull chief know-how officer Adrian Newey may create with out restrictions; Crimson Bull has completed the identical, creating digital ideas just like the X1 for Gran Turismo in 2010. The RB17 would be the first real-world demonstration, initially described with phrases like “All the tricks we’ve learned in F1” and “Adrian’s greatest hits.”
Manufacturing begins in RBAT services later this yr, the division capping meeting at not more than 15 per yr. With a deliberate manufacturing run of fifty vehicles, that is greater than three years for builds. The multi-million-pound buy value is claimed to pay for service and upkeep, entry to Crimson Bull simulators, and on-track instruction. And Christian Horner needs everybody to know, “It will sound fantastic, like a track car should.”
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