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Red Bull RB1
Red Bull RB1
from Wikipedia
Red Bull RB1
David Coulthard driving the RB1 during the 2005 Canadian Grand Prix
CategoryFormula One
ConstructorRed Bull
DesignersDavid Pitchforth (Managing Director - Technical)
Ian Pocock (Engineering Director)
Rob Taylor (Chief Designer)
Chris Hammond (Head of Vehicle Science)
Ben Agathangelou (Head of Aerodynamics)
Alex Hitzinger (Engine Chief Designer - Cosworth)
PredecessorJaguar R5
SuccessorRB2
Technical specifications
ChassisCarbon fibre monocoque
EngineCosworth TJ2005 3.0-litre 90° V10 naturally-aspirated mid engined
TransmissionRed Bull 7-speed sequential
Power915 hp (682.3 kW) @ 19,000 rpm
FuelBP
LubricantsCastrol
TyresMichelin
Oz Wheels
Competition history
Notable entrantsRed Bull Racing
Notable drivers14. United Kingdom David Coulthard
15. Austria Christian Klien
15. Italy Vitantonio Liuzzi
Debut2005 Australian Grand Prix
Last event2005 Chinese Grand Prix
RacesWinsPolesF/Laps
19000
Constructors' Championships0
Drivers' Championships0

The Red Bull RB1 (originally known as Jaguar R6) is a Formula One racing car designed by Jaguar Racing for use in the 2005 season. However, with the Red Bull buyout of the Jaguar Racing team, it was used instead by Red Bull Racing. The Red Bull RB1 was officially launched at Circuito de Jerez, Spain on 7 February.

Design

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The chassis was designed by Mark Smith, Rob Taylor and Ben Agathangelou and the car's engine was a Cosworth TJ2005 3.0 litres (183 cu in) V10. The RB1 was the technically last-ever car built by Jaguar Racing but rebadged as Red Bull Racing after the energy drinks manufacturer bought the Jaguar Racing team in late 2004.

The RB1 is rather traditional and conservative, therefore, although only partially detaching itself from its Jaguar ancestor, it presents some characterizing elements. The nose is particularly raised from the ground and the front wing has a distinct spoon shape, with a sinuous shape and very similar to that of the Renault. The side bulkheads, similarly to the system of deflectors placed behind the front wheels, follow the layout of the old car and are inspired by those of Ferrari, especially in the detail of the flow diverters, taking on the characteristic shark tooth shape in the lower part. The mouth of the sides is very similar to the old Jaguar while the rear part appears very different, abandoning the curious vent system of the R5 in favor of a more traditional design featuring long fins, chimneys and exhaust fairings.

The chassis stands out for its accentuated height from the ground, which presupposes the search for maximum aerodynamic load: the bonnet has been slightly modified as, although the squared air intake inherited from the R5 is maintained, in the area of the roll-bar a small profile has been added.

Racing history

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Christian Klien driving the RB1 during the 2005 United States Grand Prix

Briton David Coulthard drove for the entire season, with Austrian Christian Klien and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi sharing the other car. Liuzzi raced in four of the rounds, with Klien racing in the other 15 rounds. The team had two test drivers: American Scott Speed and Swiss driver Neel Jani.

The RB1's best result was a fourth-place finish on its debut at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, and at the 2005 European Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring. Both results were achieved by David Coulthard. Christian Klien's best finish was fifth at the season finale in Shanghai. Vitantonio Liuzzi's best finish in the RB1 was eighth in his debut race, the 2005 San Marino Grand Prix at Imola.

The chassis was reused for the Toro Rosso STR1 in 2006.

Sponsorship and livery

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The main colours used for the livery reflect those typical of the can of the Red Bull energy drink, i.e. blue, used as a base, and grey, used for the wing profiles as on the bargeboards, on the flow diverters in front of the rear wheels, on the profile upper part of the front wing and lower part of the rear wing. On the tip of the nose and in the area between the airscope and the bonnet there is the logo with the two red bulls charging on the yellow disc; they are positioned so that one is on the right side and one on the left side and that they both point towards the front of the car. Three thin bands also run along the sides (red, blue and gray from top to bottom) which start from the bulls positioned on the nose, continue along the sides of the survival cell and on the bellies and end in the rear part of the bonnet. Finally, there are motifs that recall the checkered flag on the nose, on the bonnet and on the outside of the rear wing bulkheads. Another sponsor is tire supplier Michelin.

For the Monaco Grand Prix the two RB1s compete with a special livery aimed at promoting the film Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith and, for this race, the pit crew dressed up as Imperial Stormtroopers. Compared to the original one, it features decorative flames on the sides and an image of the character Darth Vader appears on the nose. Furthermore, the team logos located on the rear wing and on the bellies are replaced by those of the Star Wars franchise.

The Wings for Life logo was seen on the barge boards of the cars in Britain, Germany, Hungary and Belgium.

Later uses

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The RB1 was featured in Episode 5 of Season 14 of Top Gear, where it was used by both Jeremy Clarkson and Coulthard for one of their car art projects. They started by shooting paintballs from the car's exhaust and one of the paintballs hits Clarkson in his nether region, causing the two to use an aluminium canvas instead. They later soaked the car in ultraviolet paint, which caused Coulthard's visor to be blurry.[1]

Media

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Complete Formula One results

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(key) (results in bold indicate pole position; races in italics indicate fastest laps)

Year Entrant Engine Tyres Drivers 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 Points WCC
2005 Red Bull Racing Cosworth TJ2005 V10 M AUS MAL BHR SMR ESP MON EUR CAN USA FRA GBR GER HUN TUR ITA BEL BRA JPN CHN 34 7th
United Kingdom David Coulthard 4 6 8 11 8 Ret 4 7 DNS 10 13 7 Ret 7 15 Ret Ret 6 9
Austria Christian Klien 7 8 Ret 8 DNS Ret 15 9 Ret 8 13 9 9 9 5
Italy Vitantonio Liuzzi 8 Ret Ret 9

References

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Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia
from Grokipedia
The Red Bull RB1 was the inaugural Formula One car for Red Bull Racing, debuting in the 2005 season after the team acquired the former Jaguar Racing outfit in late 2004. Powered by a Cosworth TJ2005 3.0-litre V10 engine and featuring a carbon fibre monocoque chassis, the car weighed 600 kg and was equipped with a 7-speed sequential paddle-shift transmission. Designed primarily by technical director Mark Smith and chief designer Rob Taylor, it marked the Austrian energy drink company's bold entry into motorsport, with a distinctive dark blue livery accented by a yellow charging bull logo on the nose. Driven mainly by experienced Scot and young Austrian , with Italian substituting for four races, the RB1 showed promise in its debut , securing fourth and seventh places. Over the 19-race season, the team accumulated 34 points, finishing seventh in the constructors' championship behind leaders and McLaren-Mercedes. Despite no podiums or victories, the RB1's solid mid-field performances—highlighted by Coulthard's two fourth-place finishes and Klien's best of fifth—laid the groundwork for Red Bull's future dominance, transitioning from Jaguar's underperforming R5 design with targeted aerodynamic and reliability upgrades. The RB1's introduction also signified Red Bull's commitment to youth development, with the team launching its junior program alongside a sister outfit (initially , rebranded as Toro Rosso), fostering talents like Liuzzi, who made his debut with the team at the . Though limited by the engine's power compared to rivals' Ferrari and Mercedes units, the car's handling and the team's aggressive —epitomized by stunts like a zero-gravity filmed years later—quickly elevated Red Bull's profile in . By season's end, under team principal , Red Bull had established itself as an emerging force, paving the way for engine switches and championship successes in the ensuing years.

Development

Team Acquisition and Background

In November 2004, , the Austrian company, acquired from for a nominal fee of approximately £1, marking the company's entry into as a team owner rather than a sponsor. This purchase came just hours before Jaguar's planned closure, securing around 340 jobs at the team's headquarters and allowing to inherit the existing infrastructure without a full startup from scratch. The acquisition led to a swift rebranding of the team to , with the Milton Keynes facility undergoing updates to align with the company's branding, including the integration of 's marketing ethos into team operations. Prior to this move, Red Bull had built its motorsport presence through sponsorships, notably a seven-year with Sauber from 1995 to 2001, a sponsorship of in 2004, and a shorter stint supporting Arrows from 2001 to 2002, which provided valuable insights into the sport's commercial dynamics. To lead the new outfit, appointed 31-year-old as team principal in January 2005, making him the youngest in history at the time and setting the stage for the team's organizational structure. The RB1, Racing's debut car, evolved directly from Jaguar's R6 , which had been in development before the sale.

Design Process and Launch

Following the acquisition of Jaguar Racing in November 2004, Red Bull Racing adapted the Jaguar R6 chassis into its inaugural , the RB1, through minor modifications focused on rebranding and initial setup to align with the new team's operations. These changes were limited, preserving the core structure developed under while incorporating Red Bull's branding elements, such as updated applications. The design process was overseen by key personnel including chief engineer Mark Smith, chief designer Rob Taylor, and head of aerodynamics Ben Agathangelou, who coordinated the engineering evolution during a compressed development timeline from late 2004 to early 2005. This period involved intensive efforts to resolve post-acquisition integration challenges, including team restructuring and alignment of technical resources under new management led by Christian Horner. The RB1 made its official debut on 7 February 2005 at the in , marking Racing's entry into . During the launch event, the car completed initial shakedown laps and filming sessions to verify basic functionality and capture promotional footage ahead of the season.

Technical Specifications

Chassis and Aerodynamics

The Red Bull RB1 featured a carbon fibre , constructed in-house to serve as the primary structural element, with the TJ2005 integrated as a fully stressed member to enhance rigidity and . This design adhered to the FIA regulations, prioritizing lightweight construction while maintaining safety standards through layered composite materials for impact absorption. The complete , including the driver, weighed approximately 600 kg, allowing for optimal placement to achieve balanced handling under varying track conditions. Aerodynamically, the RB1 employed a raised configuration that elevated the front end to reduce proximity to the ground, minimizing unwanted underbody and facilitating cleaner to downstream elements. The front adopted a spoon-shaped profile with a dipped central section and long chord elements, suspended from the nose via extended drop plates to generate initial while directing vortices outward for improved . Endplates on the wing incorporated stepped footplates to manage separation, contributing to overall stability at high speeds. The sidepod layout followed a traditional chimney-style arrangement, where exhaust outlets were routed over the radiators, drawing inspiration from the Ferrari F2004's approach to integrate thermal management with aerodynamic loading for enhanced cooling and subtle gains. The suspension system consisted of a double wishbone arrangement at both ends, utilizing upper and lower carbon fibre wishbones connected to cast titanium uprights for precise wheel control. The front featured pushrod actuation with torsion bar springing, an anti-roll bar, and Koni dampers to optimize camber and toe changes during cornering. At the rear, a pushrod setup provided similar components but with coil springs, allowing for a lower center of gravity and better packaging around the drivetrain while maintaining compliance over uneven surfaces. This hybrid configuration balanced mechanical grip with aerodynamic sensitivity. Key dimensions included a of 3,058 mm, which supported agile maneuverability, and an overall length of around 5,300 mm, compact enough to navigate tight circuits while accommodating the era's aerodynamic demands. The engine's integration into the layout further refined the rearward weight bias, aiding traction without compromising the monocoque's structural integrity.

Powertrain and Performance

The Red Bull RB1 utilized the TJ2005 engine, a 3.0-litre naturally aspirated V10 with a 90-degree vee angle, 40 valves, and electronic managed by Pi Research. This power unit, constructed with an block and heads, alloy pistons, and a steel crankshaft, delivered approximately 900 horsepower at a peak of 18,000 rpm, with torque around 410 Nm at 12,500 rpm. The engine's high-revving design reflected the 2005 limiting displacement to 3.0 litres while emphasizing rev limits up to 18,000 rpm for maximum output. Complementing the engine was a Red Bull-developed 7-speed semi-automatic sequential transmission, featuring paddle-operated gear shifts and a longitudinally mounted high-pressure hydraulic system for rapid power changes. The gearbox incorporated an AP Racing triple-plate pull-type for efficient engagement, contributing to seamless and driveability in rear-wheel-drive configuration. This setup ensured compatibility with the mid-engine layout, optimizing weight distribution and power delivery. The RB1 ran on Michelin tires, selected for their grip and handling characteristics under 2005 F1 tire rules. Fuel was supplied by Castrol Racing Fuel, paired with Castrol lubricants to maintain engine reliability and performance during races. Overall, the powertrain enabled the car to achieve top speeds around 340 km/h on high-speed circuits and 0-100 km/h acceleration in under 3 seconds, aligning with the capabilities of V10-era Formula One machinery.

2005 Season

Drivers and Team Setup

For the 2005 season, retained as its primary driver, bringing his extensive experience from the previous year's team to provide stability for the newcomers. , a veteran with over a decade in the sport, was paired with , another holdover from who had shown promise as a in 2004. To bolster depth, the team signed from its junior program as the third driver, allowing him to compete in select races while supporting development efforts. Leadership was placed under Christian Horner, who was appointed team principal in early January 2005, just weeks before the season opener. At 31, Horner represented a fresh approach, having previously led the team in junior formulas. Key staff transitions from the Jaguar era included Tony Purnell and David Pitchforth, who initially oversaw the handover after Red Bull's acquisition but departed shortly before the season, paving the way for Horner's vision and new technical appointments. This restructuring aimed to integrate Red Bull's branding and resources while retaining core engineering talent from to accelerate the team's competitiveness. Pre-season preparations centered on the RB1's rollout and testing at in , where the car made its public debut on February 7, 2005, serving as an initial shakedown run piloted by Coulthard. The session focused on basic systems validation, followed by official testing from February 9 to 11, involving all three drivers to gather baseline data on the Cosworth-powered chassis ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. These activities underscored the team's emphasis on reliability and adaptation during the transition year. Red Bull's entry was backed by a substantial , with the company committing around $100 million (approximately £55 million) for the 2005 season, covering operations, development, and infrastructure upgrades at the Milton Keynes facility inherited from . This funding enabled the acquisition of the team for a nominal £1 fee while supporting a competitive that facilitated the RB1's integration and the expanded driver lineup.

Race Results and Highlights

The Red Bull RB1 contested all 19 rounds of the , the team's inaugural season, entering as a rebranded former outfit. The car recorded no race wins, pole positions, or fastest laps, yet demonstrated competitive potential with a total of 34 points, securing seventh place in the Constructors' Championship standings. Best results included fourth-place finishes for at the Australian and European Grands Prix, alongside Christian Klien's career-best fifth place at the . The season opened promisingly at the Australian Grand Prix, where the RB1 achieved a double points finish—Coulthard in fourth and Klien in seventh—yielding the team's highest single-race haul of 7 points and signaling a solid debut for the new entrant. Mid-season challenges arose from reliability problems, including failures and accidents, which hampered progress and led to multiple retirements, particularly during the European swing. Despite these setbacks, the RB1 showed flashes of speed on varied circuits, contributing to the team's respectable mid-field positioning. David Coulthard provided the backbone of the team's results with consistent performances, amassing 24 points across 19 starts and often extracting the maximum from the RB1's capabilities. , sharing duties with substitute in three early races, added 9 points and highlighted his potential in the , recovering from an opening-lap collision and barrel-roll to finish seventh, demonstrating resilience. Liuzzi contributed the remaining 1 point with an eighth-place finish at .
RaceCircuitCoulthard Position/StatusKlien/Liuzzi Position/StatusTeam Points
Australian GP4th7th (Klien)7
Malaysian GPSepang6th8th (Klien)4
Bahrain GPSakhir8thRet (engine, Klien)1
San Marino GP11th8th (Liuzzi)1
Spanish GP8thRet (collision, Liuzzi)1
Monaco GPRet (accident)12th (Liuzzi)0
European GP4thRet (Klien)5
Canadian GP7th9th (Klien)2
United States GPDNS (tyre protest)DNS (tyre protest, Klien)0
French GP10th15th (Klien)0
British GP13th15th (Klien)0
German GP7th9th (Klien)2
Hungarian GPRet (accident)7th (Klien)2
Turkish GP7th9th (Klien)2
Italian GP15th13th (Klien)0
Belgian GPRet (engine)9th (Klien)0
Brazilian GPRet (accident)9th (Klien)0
Japanese GPSuzuka6th9th (Klien)3
Chinese GP9th5th (Klien)4

Livery and Sponsorship

Primary Design and Colors

The Red Bull RB1's base livery consisted of a dark bodywork as the , accented by grey elements on the sidepods, , and wing structures, creating a bold and cohesive visual identity for the team's Formula 1 debut. The iconic logo, central to 's branding, was prominently displayed on the , along with larger emblems on the sides and nose compared to prior test configurations. This design emphasized aggression and speed, with subtle red and yellow highlights on the nose section to evoke the energy drink's dynamic appeal. The marked a deliberate evolution from the Jaguar R5's silver body with green stripes, which had been the interim test car's in blue and silver with smaller logos during late 2004 shakedowns. By adopting vibrant blue as the dominant hue—mirroring the can— the RB1 established the team's signature "Red Bull blue" that would define future iterations and differentiate it from 's heritage. This shift prioritized recognition and over traditional F1 , setting a for sponsor-integrated visuals without altering the core chassis lines inherited from . Driver helmets aligned with the livery's theme to reinforce team unity. Sponsors were briefly referenced in the layout through strategic placements on non-primary surfaces.

Sponsors and Special Variants

The Red Bull RB1's sponsorship portfolio was dominated by the Red Bull brand itself as the title sponsor, with large logos prominently displayed on the engine cover and to leverage the company's marketing. Following the acquisition of the team from Ford for a nominal fee of $1 in late , Red Bull committed to investing approximately $400 million over the subsequent three seasons to fund operations, engine supply from , and overall team development, effectively self-financing the entry into . Additional commercial partnerships included as the tire supplier, whose branding appeared on the sidepods and rear wing, and as the fuel supplier. The base livery's dark blue scheme provided a canvas for these sponsor placements, emphasizing visibility during broadcasts. A notable special variant featured a promotional tie-in with for the , transforming the RB1 into a Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith-themed design. The cars adopted a striking blue-and-silver , with Star Wars logos, the film's "Revenge of the Sith," and character motifs like integrated across the bodywork, replacing the standard markings in key areas. This one-off livery extended to team uniforms, with mechanics donning Stormtrooper helmets during pit stops, and included on-track stunts with characters like to amplify the movie's release. Minor adjustments were made for preseason testing sessions and television coverage, such as enhanced contrast for camera visibility, but these remained close to the primary design without significant sponsor alterations.

Post-Racing History

Reuse

Following the 2005 Formula One season, the Red Bull RB1 was transferred to the newly rebranded Toro Rosso team—formerly —for development purposes ahead of its 2006 debut. This transfer allowed Toro Rosso, operating as Red Bull's junior squad, to leverage existing hardware during its transition. The RB1 , originally constructed as a composite by , provided a foundational platform for the team's entry into the series under . This served primarily as a test mule to validate and setup configurations for the , which was essentially a modified version of the RB1 adapted to fit a rev-limited as the series shifted to V8 power units. Development changes were minimal, focusing on engine integration. The reuse, however, drew criticism from rival teams who claimed it violated the by not requiring Toro Rosso to design a from scratch. This underscored the close technical between the two entities, enabling Toro Rosso to compete without starting from scratch in its inaugural year. No RB1 returned to competitive racing under after 2005, as the team progressed to the all-new RB2 for the following season. The remaining RB1 chassis were preserved at Red Bull's facility, where they form part of the team's historical collection housed in the MK-7 museum. These preserved examples, maintained in racing specification and original where applicable, highlight the RB1's role as the foundation of Red Bull's long-term F1 program while ensuring its structural integrity for archival purposes.

Demonstrations and Exhibitions

Following its competitive career, the Red Bull RB1 has participated in select non-competitive demonstrations to illustrate Formula 1's technological advancements and team capabilities. In February 2024, the car was brought out at for a side-by-side track run with the contemporary RB20, driven by former Red Bull driver and reigning world champion . This event underscored the dramatic evolution in F1 car design over two decades, with the RB1 appearing notably smaller and less aerodynamically complex compared to its modern counterpart, which benefits from hybrid power units and advanced ground-effect aerodynamics. Earlier, in 2019, the RB1 served as the subject for an innovative zero-gravity pit-stop demonstration conducted aboard an Il-76MDK cosmonaut training aircraft. Selected for its robust and compact dimensions, the car was rotated mid-air while the pit crew executed a change in simulated weightless conditions, achieving a sub-three-second stop to highlight precision under extreme circumstances. Beyond track activities, the RB1 resides in 's private heritage collection, preserved within the team's facility alongside other historic . It has appeared in controlled displays at fan-oriented events hosted by the team, such as guided tours of the heritage workshop, allowing enthusiasts to view the car's original components up close and learn about its role as 's inaugural F1 entry.

Media Appearances

Television and Events

The Red Bull RB1 gained notable exposure in broadcast media through a creative segment on Top Gear Season 14, Episode 5, which aired on December 20, 2009. Hosted by , the episode featured the 2005 RB1 repurposed as an artistic instrument, with paintballs loaded into the airbox and expelled via the exhaust at high RPM to create abstract paintings on a canvas positioned behind the car. drove the vehicle during the demonstration, showcasing its V10 engine's power while highlighting the fusion of and art. In 2024, the RB1 appeared in a high-profile promotional demonstration organized by , where it raced alongside the team's current RB20 on a controlled track. Driven by former Red Bull driver , the RB1 faced off against three-time world champion in the RB20, emphasizing the evolution of Red Bull's technology over two decades. Televised clips of the event, including side-by-side runs and expert commentary on the RB1's historical role as the team's inaugural , were broadcast on and official F1 channels. Beyond television, the RB1 has been showcased at live events across as part of 's demonstration runs, celebrating the brand's heritage. A prominent example occurred at the 2015 , where test driver piloted the RB1 up the famous hill climb course. The event drew thousands of spectators, with the car's thunderous V10 engine providing a nostalgic highlight amid modern hypercars and prototypes.

Video Games and Simulations

The Red Bull RB1 appeared in the official 2005 , F1 2005, developed by Sony Computer Entertainment Europe, marking the team's debut digital representation with an accurate model of the car, its 2005 livery options, and the V10 engine sound integrated into the game's audio system. Subsequent official F1 titles from and , starting with F1 2010, focused on contemporary seasons and introduced classic cars from 2017 onward, but did not include the RB1; instead, earlier models like the 2010 RB6 were featured as drivable classics with physics derived from historical data. In racing simulations, community-created mods for (released in 2014) have recreated the RB1 post-2015, with the notable CR Formula "Red Lion '05" mod from 2023 offering a high-poly 3D model, custom V10 audio, and drivable physics closely based on the original 2005 specifications to simulate period handling traits. Red Bull's official licensing partnership with , established in 2024 and extended through subsequent titles, ensures precise team branding and historical accuracy in the F1 series, supporting features like customizations and team narratives that reference the RB1's era without direct inclusion of the car itself.

References

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