F1 news LIVE: Red Bull launch 2023 car livery and confirm Ford partnership

Red Bull unveiled their 2023 car in a glitzy season launch event in New York City on Friday - and confirmed an engine partnership with Ford from 2026.

Christian Horner’s team, who coasted to Drivers and Constructors’ success last season as Max Verstappen won his second world title, revealed the RB19 livery in the Big Apple, with a notable difference in design not apparent from last year’s all-conquering RB18.

Verstappen, alongside team-mate Sergio Perez and third driver Daniel Ricciardo, was present stateside with just over a month until the new season starts in Bahrain.

Red Bull also confirmed a deal with Ford as an engine supplier from 2026, forming Red Bull-Ford Powertrains. Ford will return to Formula 1 after a 22-year absence, having last been involved in 2004 alongside Jaguar.

“It’s fantastic to be welcoming Ford back into Formula 1 through this partnership,” said Horner. “As an independent engine manufacturer to have the ability to benefit from an OEM’s experience like Ford puts us in good stead against the competition.

“They are a manufacturer rich in motoring history that spans generations. From Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, the lineage speaks for itself.”

Mick Schumacher will also work with McLaren as part of his role as a Mercedes reserve driver in 2023. Schumacher was dropped from his race seat at Haas at the end of the 2022 campaign after two frustrating seasons, with Nico Hulkenberg replacing him.

In December, Mick - son of seven-time Formula 1 world champion Michael Schumacher - joined Mercedes as a reserve driver next season and will work to support Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Yet McLaren - who use Mercedes powered engines - announced on Wednesday that the 23-year-old’s services would also be available to them throughout 2023.

In a tweet alongside a photo of Schumacher completing a seat fit for McLaren, the team said: “McLaren will be able to call on Mick Schumacher as a reserve driver during the 2023 F1 season as part of our arrangement with Mercedes. Welcome to the family, Mick.”

Valtteri Bottas has questioned the FIA’s new rule banning Formula 1 drivers from making political statements without prior approval, insisting: “I don’t understanding why they want to control us.”

The FIA’s international sporting code, which governs the running of motorsport competitions, has been updated with a new clause under breaches of the rules.

Drivers will now be in breach of the rules if they make or display “political, religious and personal statements or comments notably in violation of the general principle of neutrality promoted by the FIA under its statutes, unless previously approved in writing by the FIA for international competitions, or by the relevant ASN for national competitions within their jurisdiction”.

Alfa Romeo’s Bottas was team-mates with Lewis Hamilton - who has been vocal and outspoken on matters such as racial inequality and minority rights - for five years from 2017-2021 and believes the FIA are interfering too much with drivers’ freedom of speech with the new regulation.

“Personally, I don’t like politics,” Bottas told Swedish outlet Expressen. “I like doing what I love, which is racing, but at the same time politics is part of today’s society.

“I think Formula 1 has done a good job in drawing attention to some of these kinds of issues and many drivers have raised their voices, including Sebastian, says the Finnish Formula 1 star and continues.”

The 2023 Formula 1 season starts on 5 March in Bahrain - and preparations are well underway ahead of the new campaign.

All 10 teams have had more than two months since the final race of 2022 in Abu Dhabi and are set to reveal their new cars in the next few weeks, with pre-season testing taking place at the Bahrain International Circuit from 23-25 February.

Here are the 2023 car launch dates in chronological order:

Williams - Monday 6 February (Livery launch, online)

Alfa Romeo - Tuesday 7 February (Zurich)

AlphaTauri - Saturday 11 February (Livery launch, New York)

Aston Martin - Monday 13 February (Silverstone)

McLaren - Monday 13 February (location TBC)

Ferrari - Tuesday 14 February (location TBC)

Mercedes - Wednesday 15 February (Silverstone)

Alpine - Thursday 16 February (London)

Ford will re-enter the world of Formula 1 in 2026 as an engine partner - and are widely expected to partner with Red Bull. The Ford Motor Company, who were last involved in F1 in 2004 alongside Jaguar, will partner the current champions when new engine regulations come to the fray in 2026.

The American automotive giant have followed rivals General Motors, who announced a deal with Andretti to target an entry for three years time, into F1 given the sport’s growing popularity, particularly stateside, and F1’s focus on sustainable fuels for 2026.

Red Bull launch their 2023 car, the RB19, at 2pm (GMT) today in New York City - where Ford have reportedly sent social media influencers in anticipation of a deal confirmation.

Ford executive chair Bill Ford said: “This is the start of a thrilling new chapter in Ford’s motorsports story that began when my great-grandfather won a race that helped launch our company. Ford is returning to the pinnacle of the sport, bringing Ford’s long tradition of innovation, sustainability and electrification to one of the world’s most visible stages.”

Despite an absence which will stretch to 22 years by the time they re-join, Ford remain the third-most succcessful engine manufacturer in F1 history - with 176 victories.

“The news today that Ford is coming to Formula 1 from 2026 is great for the sport and we are excited to see them join the incredible automotive partners already in Formula 1,” said Formula 1 CEO Stefano Domenicali.

Christian Horner has revealed Red Bull have only made “subtle changes” to their new car ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season.

After claiming the constructors’ championship in 2022, the team principal has lauded the talent of his drivers Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

And Horner believes the team can get even better despite their dominance last season after showcasing the RB19.

“It’s taking all the lessons from the RB18,” Horner said. “There’s been some subtle changes. The tyres are slightly different too but RB19 draws on all the strengths.

Red Bull unveiled their 2023 car in a glitzy season launch event in New York City on Friday - and confirmed an engine partnership with Ford from 2026.

Christian Horner’s team, who coasted to Drivers and Constructors’ success last season as Max Verstappen won his second world title, revealed the RB19 livery in the Big Apple. Verstappen, alongside team-mate Sergio Perez and third driver Daniel Ricciardo, was present stateside with just over a month until the new season starts in Bahrain.

Red Bull also confirmed a deal with Ford as an engine supplier from 2026, forming Red Bull-Ford Powertrains. Ford will return to Formula 1 after a 22-year absence, having last been involved in 2004 alongside Jaguar.

“It’s fantastic to be welcoming Ford back into Formula 1 through this partnership,” said Horner.

“As an independent engine manufacturer to have the ability to benefit from an OEM’s experience like Ford puts us in good stead against the competition.

“They are a manufacturer rich in motoring history that spans generations. From Jim Clark to Ayrton Senna and Michael Schumacher, the lineage speaks for itself.”

And now - finally! - Red Bull announce their partnership with Ford from 2026!

Jim Farley, president and CEO of Ford Motor Company: “Ford is going to return to Formula 1 after more than 20 years. We looked at a lot of options and we wanted to go in the direction authentic for us. A strategic and techincal partnership with Red Bull Powertrains from 2026.”

Christian Horner: “It’s tremendously exciting to welcome the Ford brand back into Formula 1. To have a Red Bull-Ford power unit is very exciting. From the first moment we spoke, it was very clear that there was a natural synergy between the two companies. It was a very easy deal to put together because the desire was there from both sides. Big moment for us!”

Horner: “It’s taking all the lessons from the RB18. There’s been some subtle changes. The tyres are slightly different too but RB19 draws on all the strengths.

Verstappen: “Our livery has been pretty similar for a few years now but it’s a cool looking car. We’ve had a lot of success like that so why change it up?

Perez: “It’s about getting up to a good physical level because it’s a very short time we’re in the car - just a day and a half each before the season starts. That’s the key.

Ricciardo: “I’ll be at the factory in a couple of weeks - a lot of sim work. That’ll be a lot of my work, let the boys take the track stuff! Help to understand the car and try and lend some of my experience.”

Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for - the RB19 is revealed!