Red Bull unveils new car Max Verstappen will drive to defend F1 world championship

With Formula 1 ushering in a new era, Red Bull has unveiled its new car for the 2022 season.

Max Verstappen's team, which is looking to replicate the success of last season, pulled the covers off the RB18 at its factory in Milton Keynes, UK.

Verstappen won his first world drivers' championship last season, narrowly pipping Mercedes rival Lewis Hamilton in a dramatic and controversial season finale in December.

Now, Verstappen and teammate Sergio Perez must get to grips with a dramatically different car.

Formula 1 has gone through the biggest technical change in recent memory, with car aerodynamics simplified and wheels made larger. 

Speaking at the launch, Verstappen said he did not feel any added pressure being world champion, and was instead focused on adjusting to his new car.

«As a driver, with the new regulations, you have to get used to the car. It's not like you just jump in and it is an upgrade from last year,» he said.

«So that is going to be the biggest adaptation.

»A lot is unknown about the car."

The current look of the car might change before the first race in Bahrain on March 20, according to team principal Christian Horner.

The Red Bull boss said every team would make alterations as the year progressed and they understand more about the new regulations.

«With a complete set of new regulations, it's going to be all about the development — how quickly the teams get on top of these sets of new regulations,» he said.

«Development is going to be thick and fast. And with the cost cap, it's got to be efficient.»

Young British star Lando Norris will continue his career at McLaren until at least 2025, after agreeing to a new deal. 

Daniel Ricciardo's teammate has impressed in his young F1 career, with five podiums from his 60