Red Bull Racing is gearing up for the upcoming 2025 Formula 1 season by setting a date for the launch and initial testing of its new car, the RB21. The team has scheduled a filming day in Bahrain on February 25, where driver Max Verstappen and his new teammate Liam Lawson will take the car for its first outing on the track. This event will occur just one day prior to the start of the official pre-season testing, which is also taking place at the Sakhir circuit.
For this year’s regulations, each team is permitted to conduct up to 200 kilometers of running with their new cars during launch events, specifically on Pirelli’s demonstration tires. In the previous season, Red Bull opted to hold their filming day at Silverstone; however, the weather turned sour, hampering the day’s activities. This year, they are making a strategic move to Bahrain, where they will have the opportunity to gather critical data about the RB21 as both drivers get acclimatized to their new machinery.
Red Bull has also chosen to forego its traditional launch event for the RB21. Instead, the team revealed its 2025 livery at a significant launch event hosted by Formula 1 in London at the O2 Arena on February 18. This event was part of F1’s 75th anniversary celebrations, and it saw various teams unveiling their car designs collectively. As a result, teams like Mercedes and Red Bull are heading directly to Bahrain to commence testing without the fanfare of a typical launch, while other teams—including Ferrari and Williams—are still planning their individual presentations.
In light of last season’s performance, where Red Bull slipped to third in the Constructors’ Championship, team principal Christian Horner expressed optimism about the competitiveness of the upcoming season. He noted that the battles are likely to be fierce among several key teams, including McLaren, Ferrari, and Mercedes, in addition to Red Bull. Horner expects all four teams to be closely matched in performance, which could lead to an exceptionally competitive season.
Horner specifically highlighted McLaren and Ferrari as teams likely to pose significant competition, pointing out that Mercedes also has plenty to prove this year. With his comments, he emphasized the uncertainty surrounding which team would come out on top, acknowledging the tight nature of the competition.
The RB21 represents not only a fresh start for Red Bull but also an important opportunity for the team to address some of the balance issues that hindered their performance throughout the 2024 season. As they embark on this development journey, the team must simultaneously manage its resources to comply with the forthcoming 2026 regulations, which will require strategic planning to balance improvements for the current season with future developments.
As the launch day approaches, all eyes will be on both Verstappen and Lawson. Verstappen, the reigning world champion, is looking forward to testing the abilities of the new car, while Lawson will be eager to make a strong impression as he steps into his role alongside the seasoned Verstappen. The combined efforts of the drivers on the RB21 are expected to yield insights that will be crucial for fine-tuning the car ahead of the season’s official tests.
Overall, the anticipation surrounding the RB21 is high, with Red Bull aiming to reclaim its status as a championship-contending team. This involves meticulous preparation, the completion of extensive testing, and the ability to adapt to the evolving dynamics of the competition. The team is committed to extracting maximum performance from the RB21 and ensuring that they remain a formidable force on the Formula 1 grid.
As the days count down to the initial test in Bahrain, Red Bull Racing’s approach reflects a blend of innovation, strategic planning, and competitiveness, all characteristic of a team that has consistently aimed for excellence in one of the most competitive sports in the world. The 2025 season promises to be an exciting chapter in the story of Formula 1 racing, characterized by fierce rivalries, technological advancements, and remarkable displays of driving skill.
