News Summary
- Red Bull has unveiled a Ford Raptor-inspired look for the United States Grand Prix, including special uniforms for Verstappen and Hadjar.
- Verstappen’s helmet features his signature lion wearing a cowboy hat, with white, red and blue details inspired by Texas.
- The team’s garage will receive a Ford-themed makeover, accompanied by special events in Austin. No new RB22 livery has been confirmed.
Red Bull has unveiled a special Ford-inspired makeover for Max Verstappen and Isack Hadjar ahead of the 2026 United States Grand Prix, introducing cowboy-themed racing gear, an exclusive helmet design and a transformed garage as the team celebrates its partnership with the American manufacturer in Austin.
The collaboration, announced on Monday, October 19, takes inspiration from Ford’s high-performance Raptor vehicles and the traditional imagery of the American West. Both drivers will wear predominantly white race suits, while team personnel will use an exclusive clothing collection developed by Castore.
Verstappen will also race with a special helmet featuring his familiar lion emblem wearing a cowboy hat, combining Texas-inspired graphics with the red, white and blue elements of his regular design.
The changes extend beyond the drivers’ equipment. Red Bull’s garage at Circuit of The Americas will incorporate Ford Raptor branding, while the team has organised a programme of events and fan experiences across Austin.
Verstappen’s lion gets cowboy hat for United States GP
The most distinctive part of the presentation is Verstappen’s new helmet, which retains the visual identity he has used throughout his Formula 1 career but adds details inspired by Texas.
The design features a predominantly white base, red and dark-blue accents and a revised version of the lion that has become associated with the four-time world champion.
For Austin, the animal wears a cowboy hat, reflecting the event’s location and Red Bull’s wider Western-themed presentation.
The helmet also incorporates American flag details and Ford branding, connecting the design to the manufacturer’s technical partnership with Red Bull Powertrains.
Verstappen previously introduced changes to his regular helmet for the 2026 season, including additional Ford logos following the beginning of the power-unit collaboration.
The Austin version is a one-off design for the American Grand Prix, with licensed replicas also being offered through the driver’s official merchandise channels.
Hadjar will wear the matching special race suit, although Red Bull has not announced a separate helmet design for the Frenchman as part of the same presentation.
Ford Raptor inspires Red Bull’s Austin transformation
Red Bull has worked with Ford Racing and clothing manufacturer Castore to develop the collection, which includes special race suits, boots, jackets and shirts.
The visual identity combines predominantly white clothing with elements inspired by traditional American motorsport, off-road racing and Western culture.
The Raptor name is associated with Ford’s high-performance off-road vehicles, including the F-150 Raptor and Ranger Raptor.
The team’s commercial director Paul Gandolfi explained that Austin offers an opportunity to connect Formula 1 with American automotive culture.
“Austin is always a weekend where we have a lot of fun,” Gandolfi said.
“This year, we’re going bigger than ever, both at the circuit and across the city.”
He highlighted the combination of team clothing, garage branding, fan activities and driver appearances as central elements of the programme.
“From our Ford Raptor-inspired team kit and garage transformation to fan experiences and driver appearances throughout race week, we’re creating several opportunities for fans to connect with Oracle Red Bull Racing,” he added.
Ford Racing general manager Will Ford also welcomed the initiative, emphasising the relationship between the Raptor range and the manufacturer’s involvement in Formula 1.
“We love how the ORBR team has embraced the spirit of Raptor, from the race suits to the pit garages,” Ford said.
Red Bull and Ford prepare fan events across Austin
The collaboration includes activities away from Circuit of The Americas.
On Wednesday, October 21, Red Bull and Ford will host The Pull Up, an event bringing together Raptor vehicles, customised Ford models, live music and a Formula 1 show car.
The programme will also include a barbecue and opportunities for supporters to see the special clothing collection.
From October 22–25, Red Bull Austin Race Nights will take place at Big Texas, on East Seventh Street.
The event will feature pit-stop challenges, racing simulators, live entertainment and appearances by drivers and other Red Bull personalities.
The activities are part of a wider effort to strengthen the team’s connection with the American audience during Ford’s first season as Red Bull’s Formula 1 power-unit partner.
However, Red Bull has not confirmed a special livery for the RB22. The officially announced changes concern the team’s clothing, Verstappen’s helmet and the garage presentation.
Verstappen arrives in Austin after Red Bull’s F1 revival
The special presentation comes as Verstappen attempts to extend his recent run of success.
The Dutchman won the Malaysian and Singapore Grands Prix, helping Red Bull close the gap to McLaren in the Constructors’ Championship.
The improvement followed a difficult opening phase of the 2026 season, when the team struggled to consistently challenge Mercedes and Ferrari.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO examined in its analysis of Red Bull’s recovery, the team’s development programme has significantly improved its competitiveness since Azerbaijan.
Red Bull has also refined the operation of its Ford-backed power unit without introducing a new homologated engine specification.
The team’s explanation of those power-unit improvements highlighted the importance of calibration and energy management under Formula 1’s new regulations.
The partnership with Ford has also extended into race strategy and technology development, with Red Bull recently explaining how artificial intelligence influenced a decision involving Verstappen at Monza in 2025.
As GRANDE PRÊMIO reported on Monday, an Oracle-powered system recommended that Verstappen return a position to Lando Norris, a suggestion adopted by the team’s strategists.
Red Bull enters Austin attempting to overtake McLaren for third place in the Constructors’ Championship, while Verstappen seeks a third consecutive Grand Prix victory.
When is the 2026 United States Grand Prix?
The United States Grand Prix takes place from October 23–25 at Circuit of The Americas in Austin, Texas.
The weekend features three free-practice sessions, qualifying on Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Prix, with no sprint race scheduled.
The race is due to begin at 15:00 local time in Austin (CDT), corresponding to 16:00 in New York (EDT) and 17:00 in Brasília (BRT).
The complete programme is available in GRANDE PRÊMIO’s United States Grand Prix schedule.
