Red Bull Racing are the latest team to reveal their 2022 championship contender, after Haas unveiled a version of their car last week.

The RB18 was launched via an official livestream, and with subsequent images posted to social media.

The team has also announced a new title partnership with Oracle, which features more prominently on the livery of the car, and now features in the team’s official name.

In contrast to to the ‘early evolution’ Haas VF-22, the car Red Bull have launched does look distinctly more akin to Formula 1’s mule car – the team are seemingly keeping their cards close to their chest with Team Principal Christian Horner openly admitting the car will look nothing like this model come testing.

The livery alone is an evolution of the matte blue, red and yellow design which Red Bull has subtly evolved since 2016, and therefore adapted to fit the all-new body shapes of the 2022 car.

Reigning drivers’ champion Max Verstappen continues at the team for his sixth full season, with Sergio Perez staying for a second season at the squad.

Perez played a major part in the controversial Abu Dhabi season finale where a steadfast defensive drive saw the Mexican stave off overtaking attempts by Verstappen’s championship rival Lewis Hamilton. The time Verstappen gained from this contributed to him being in the position to clinch the title from Hamilton.

Mercedes, Red Bull and Ferrari are expected by some to retain their status as the ‘big teams’ who consequently make up the top three, however no team is immune to the shake-up of a large regulation change in Formula 1.

As is customary in February, teams are expected to be keeping their actual cars under wraps until the three-day ‘shakedown’ at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on 23-25 February. It is only when cars hit the track in Barcelona that they have to actually comply with the FIA’s technical regulations.