Red Bull RB1
| Company type | Racing car |
|---|---|
| Industry | Formula One |
| Predecessor | Jaguar R5 |
| Founded | 2005 |
| Headquarters | Unknown , Unknown |
| Products | Formula One car |
The Red Bull RB1, initially known as the Jaguar R6, is a Formula One vehicle engineered by Jaguar Racing for the 2005 championship. Following Red Bull's takeover of Jaguar Racing, the RB1 was operated under the Red Bull Racing banner. Its unveiling took place at the Circuito de Jerez in Spain on 7 February.
Design
The chassis was crafted by engineers Mark Smith, Rob Taylor, and Ben Agathangelou, and it was powered by a 3.0L naturally aspirated Cosworth TJ2005 V10 engine. This model marked Jaguar Racing’s final engineering endeavor before transitioning to the Red Bull identity in late 2004.
The RB1 featured a relatively conservative design, evolving incrementally from its Jaguar predecessor. Key design elements included a raised nose and a spoon-shaped front wing reminiscent of Renault’s style. The side bulkheads and flow deflectors drew inspiration from Ferrari’s shark tooth concept, reflecting design cues from the R5 model. While the sidepods preserved Jaguar’s earlier configuration, the rear section replaced the R5’s vent system with a more traditional arrangement incorporating elongated fins, chimneys, and exhaust fairings.
From an aerodynamic standpoint, the chassis adopted a higher ride height to optimize downforce generation. The bonnet retained the squared air intake characteristic of the R5 but introduced a small profile near the roll-bar area to enhance airflow control.
Racing history
British driver David Coulthard competed throughout the entire season, while Austrian Christian Klien and Italian Vitantonio Liuzzi alternated in driving the second car. Liuzzi participated in four races, Klien in fifteen. Test drivers included American Scott Speed and Swiss Neel Jani.
Coulthard secured the RB1’s best finishes with two fourth-place results at the 2005 Australian Grand Prix and the 2005 European Grand Prix held at the Nürburgring. Klien’s highest placement was fifth at the 2005 Chinese Grand Prix, whereas Liuzzi achieved an eighth-place finish at the 2005 San Marino Grand Prix. The chassis design was later adapted for use in the Toro Rosso STR1 during the 2006 season.
Sponsorship and livery
The RB1’s paint scheme showcased Red Bull’s signature energy drink colors: a blue base complemented by grey wing profiles on bargeboards, flow diverters, and both front and rear wings. The nose tip along with the space between airscope and bonnet prominently displayed Red Bull’s emblematic logo featuring two bulls charging against a yellow circle. Three slender stripes—red, blue, and gray—extended along each side from nose to rear bonnet, enhanced by checkered flag patterns on the nose, bonnet, and rear wing endplates. Tire manufacturer Michelin also featured as a principal sponsor.
At the 2005 Monaco Grand Prix, the RB1 sported a unique livery promoting Star Wars: Episode III - Revenge of the Sith, adorned with flame graphics along its sides and Darth Vader imagery on the nose. Traditional team logos on the rear wing and sidepods were replaced with Star Wars branding, while pit crew members donned Imperial Stormtrooper costumes.
During races in Britain, Germany, Hungary, and Belgium, the bargeboards carried the Wings for Life charity logo.
Later uses
The RB1 made an appearance in Season 14, Episode 5 of Top Gear, where Jeremy Clarkson and David Coulthard employed it in an automotive art project involving paintballs shot from its exhaust combined with ultraviolet paint effects—demonstrating its significance beyond motorsport into popular culture.
Complete Formula One results
(key) (bold text denotes pole position; italicized race results signify fastest laps)
| Year | Team | Power Unit | Tyres | Drivers | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | Points | Constructors' Championship |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | Red Bull Racing | Cosworth V10 | Template:Michelin | AUS | MAL | BHR | SMR | ESP | MON | EUR | CAN | USA | FRA | GBR | GER | HUN | TUR | ITA | BEL | BRA | JPN | CHN | 34 | 7th | |
| Template:Country data GBRTemplate:Namespace detect showall David Coulthard | 4th | 6th | 8th | 11th | 8th | Retired | 4th | 7th | Did Not Start | 10th | 13th | 7th | Retired | 7th | 15th | Retired | Retired | 6th | 9th |