Red Bull is set to unveil its highly anticipated new car—the RB21—at a filming day in Bahrain on February 25, just one day before Formula 1’s official pre-season testing kicks off. The breakthrough challenger will be revealed at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir, following an earlier livery debut at the F175 launch event at the O2 in London on February 18.
Reigning World Champion Max Verstappen and rookie teammate Liam Lawson are expected to join the spectacle. To comply with FIA regulations, the team will run the RB21 for up to 200 km on Pirelli demonstration tyres during the unveiling, offering fans a tantalizing glimpse of its performance potential.
Team Principal Christian Horner is confident that the RB21 will give Red Bull the edge they seek, especially after a 2024 season in which the team lost its Constructors’ crown to McLaren. Horner believes that the 2025 season will be fiercely competitive, noting,
“I think it’s going to be super tight. You’re going to have four teams that are going to be very competitive, so take your pick. But McLaren is going to be strong. Ferrari is going to be strong. Mercedes are going to have something to prove as well. So, it could be a stellar year.”
In addition to a refreshed driver lineup—highlighted by the arrival of Lawson replacing Sergio Perez—Red Bull is undergoing a significant technical reshuffle. Several key figures have left the team, including longtime design chief Adrian Newey and Jonathan Wheatley, who have both moved on to new roles elsewhere. This strategic overhaul is part of Red Bull’s bid to reclaim its dominance, with the extra wind tunnel time allocated to them (thanks to finishing third in the Constructors’ table last year under the FIA’s sliding scale rules) giving the team a crucial competitive boost.
The RB21’s debut is already being hailed as a pivotal moment for Red Bull. With fresh faces, a redesigned technical team, and the promise of groundbreaking performance, the upcoming unveiling in Bahrain is set to be one of the most eagerly anticipated events on the pre-season calendar.