Red Bull cement launch date for Max Verstappen's title-defending RB18 machine

Red Bull have nailed down the date on which they will reveal the car with which Max Verstappen will defend his Formula 1 title.

The 2022 Red Bull F1 car will be called RB18, and will be launched on February 9 – nine days before rivals Mercedes launch their W13. Last season saw Verstappen win his maiden F1 title in a thrilling finale at Abu Dhabi, at the helm of the RB16B.

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Following Honda’s decision to leave the sport at the end of 2021, meanwhile, the newly-established Red Bull Powertrains will oversee the RB18’s power unit for 2022 – although following a deal made towards the end of last season, that power unit will continue to use Honda intellectual property.