But team describe appearance as a 'one-off livery'; Verstappen puts eye-catching car through paces at Silverstone
Friday 15 February 2019 11:03, UK
Introducing the new Red Bull...with a colour scheme we were not expecting!
In a dramatic new look, the striking RB15 has been released in a blue and red livery - a sharp departure from the team's usual look.
Red Bull have described the new appearance as a 'one-off livery'.
Max Verstappen gave the car its first laps in a shakedown at Silverstone, the first time the team have run a Honda engine.
"It was a very positive day so I'm happy," said Verstappen after the car's debut run. "After my first run, I was smiling - very happy with how the car was behaving plus the engine as well."
Verstappen completed 39 laps with the team reporting that the car ran 'faultlessly'.
"Of course today is all about filming, but it's also a really valuable opportunity to check that all the systems work and that the car is fundamentally in good shape before we head to Barcelona next week where hopefully it will be a bit warmer!" said team boss Christian Horner. "Now we've got eight days' of testing ahead and it's important that we maximise track time and get as much out of that process as possible prior to the first race of the new season in Melbourne."
Haven't we seen this before from Red Bull?
Red Bull are no strangers to causing a surprise during 'launch season'.
The former world champions launched their 2018 car in dark black and blue colours before reverting to their traditional look for the start of testing.
And in 2015, Red Bull's winter look was even more radical, the team initially running their new car on track in a camouflage livery in a bid to conceal its aerodynamic secrets.
What can we expect from Red Bull in 2019?
The 2019 Red Bull car is the first to be made since the former world champions formed a partnership with new power providers Honda.
The team claimed four successive title doubles between 2010 and 2013, but have struggled to keep pace with Mercedes and Ferrari since the advent of the sport's current turbo-hybrid era - triggering the decision to change engine suppliers.
Red Bull will begin the campaign, which starts in Australia on March 14-17, without Renault power for the first time in 13 years as Honda step up into the limelight after a development season with Toro Rosso.
What's changing on the Formula 1 2019 cars?
Find out more about Sky Sports F1
Red Bull's RB15 is the successor to a RB14 car which finished last season battling for victories, with Verstappen, who won twice in 2018, widely tipped to challenge multiple champions Lewis Hamilton and Sebastian Vettel.
Daniel Ricciardo's departure to Renault has opened the door for 23-year-old Pierre Gasly to stake his claim as a race winner of the future.
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