Oracle Red Bull Racing took to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in bullish fashion this weekend with a series of world firsts and exclusive reveals.
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Kicking off the festival on Friday, the Team presented the RB17 to the world’s eye with a launch ceremony in the Goodwood Paddock hosted by Adrian Newey, Christian Horner and Technical Director Rob Gray. The much-anticipated hypercar designed, developed and manufactured entirely in-house at Red Bull Advanced Technologies boasts a top speed of more than 350 kph from its semi-stressed, mid-mounted V10 engine. Only 50 RB17s will be produced, with its static world debut at Goodwood coming after a successful and rigorous prototype testing programme.
Sunday saw another world first, with the Team rolling back the clock to celebrate 20 laps around the sun. Red Bull drivers past and present, with their respective Red Bull Formula One cars, took to the famous Goodwood Hill to form the largest procession of F1 cars in the festival’s 31-year history.
The moment marked another debut, CEO and Team Principal Christian Horner making a run in the Team’s seven-time Grand Prix-winning car, the RB8. Adrian Newey rounded out the procession in the Aston Martin Valkyrie, a car he and the Team built collaboratively with Aston Martin.
CHRISTIAN KLIEN – RB1
“It was amazing to be reunited with the RB1 at Goodwood Festival of Speed, the Team’s first car that I drove in our first race. It was where it all started for Red Bull Racing. The sound was incredible from the V10 driving up the hill, and it was great to see the crowd. Having all the other cars behind me and seeing their evolution, I could feel what Red Bull Racing has grown into. It’s been a privilege to be part of the Team in the early years and to relive it today.”
MARK WEBBER – RB6
“The energy at the Goodwood Festival of Speed truly is unmatched, and the fact that Red Bull has practically created our own F1 Paddock at this event is incredible. It’s the perfect way to tell the stories that have paved the way for our 20th-season celebrations. Driving the RB6 brought back amazing memories; it’s my favourite F1 car I ever drove at Red Bull, a piece of jewellery and a great part of The Team’s history. Taking to the wheel alongside DC and most of the other past and present drivers was very special today.”
DANIEL RICCIARDO – RB7
“It’s days like these that I’m proud to be part of the Red Bull family. To see 20 years of memories in front of you is a reminder of how much the Team has achieved in those years. It’s nice to be with so many drivers who have helped shape the Team and share this with them and share some stories. A lot of my success and a big part of my career has been with Red Bull, and thinking it’s one of the most successful teams ever is fantastic. Goodwood is always a reminder of how excellent the sport is, not only F1 but motorsport in general. As an enthusiast of the sport, I know there’s so much on offer, and it’s nice to play a tiny part of the show.
CHRISTIAN HORNER, CEO and Team Principal – RB8
“Glorious Goodwood really lived up to its name today. It was a truly incredible moment to take the living, breathing history of Red Bull Racing up the iconic hill. In our 20th season in the sport, we continue to break records, bringing the biggest-ever parade of Formula One cars to Goodwood, certainly one we won’t forget. It was a privilege to take the wheel alongside some of the drivers and members of this Team who have made such a significant part of Red Bull Racing’s history. Getting the gang back together was very special.”
DAVID COULTHARD – RB9
“Red Bull Racing has become one of the most successful teams in Formula One history, so celebrating 20 years of Red Bull Racing at Goodwood Festival of Speed, the ultimate celebration of motoring, has been very special. It felt great to take the wheel across the weekend and to see the Team’s incredible fans. Oracle Bull Racing is standing on the shoulders of giants who created this amazing sport, and of course, every Team and every generation should be better. Red Bull Racing has taken it to the next level. It was nice to be reunited with the Team’s drivers today and participate in this spectacular event. It was a reminder of why we love racing.”
MAX VERSTAPPEN – RB16B
“It’s good to bring everyone together and properly celebrate the incredible history of the Team. It is my first time here at Goodwood, so it is great to have such a big Red Bull presence here to mark our 20th year and a nice moment to see all the cars driving together up the hill. Seeing all the cars line up at the end and the drivers in their old cars is exceptional and something we should celebrate. It was fantastic to drive the RB16B again and see everyone who has been a part of the Team’s history come together; there have been many emotions from everyone involved over the past 20 years. It was good to drive and fun doing the doughnuts at the end; it was a great experience.”
SERGIO PEREZ – RB18
“It is a very special day for our Team. It’s days like this that you realise the amount of history already in Red Bull Racing and come together to celebrate. That is an extraordinary moment for us all to have. It felt great to make more history as a Team today; being part of that always makes you feel exceptional. It’s always nice to come to events like Goodwood when it’s relaxed and you have more time to spend with the Team’s amazing motorsport fans. It was lovely to be reunited with the RB18; as soon as I sat in it, it brought back memories, like my win in Monaco, and it was such an enjoyable day.”
HAMDA AL QUBAISI – F1 ACADEMY CAR
“A memorable weekend. It was amazing to be part of Red Bull Racing’s 20th season celebrations and join the lineup amongst many legendary drivers that I’ve always looked up to. It’s such an iconic event, and I was really excited going into it; after my first hill climbs, you could see on my face how happy I was; the adrenaline was just amazing. There’s less grip here than our normal tracks, so I was drifting around a bit in the F1 Academy car, which was an enjoyable experience. A weekend I will remember forever!”
