Christian Horner claims even Max Verstappen would ‘struggle’ to extract downforce from the $6.2 million RB17 Hypercar

Christian Horner doubted Max Verstappen's capabilities in extracting maximum performance from the RB17 Hypercar.

Christian Horner claims even Max Verstappen would ‘struggle’ to extract downforce from the $6.2 million RB17 Hypercar

Christian Horner, Max Verstappen, and RB17 Hypercar (Via: Imago, Motorsport)

Red Bull revealed their highly capable machinery designed by Adrian Newey at the Goodwood Festival of Speed. The RB17 Hypercar is the final embodiment of Newey’s brilliance in challenger design. The supercar is priced at around $6.2 Million and only has 50 pieces built. Additionally, Christian Horner revealed that the specs of the car would make even Max Verstappen struggle to extract performance.

Max Verstappen has been showcasing a highly dominant performance with the Milton -keynes-based team. The Dutchman extracts maximum potential from the car on all occasions. However, the RB17 Hypercar was built as such that Christian Horner believed even the reigning world champion would struggle to extract maximum performance.

Even Max Verstappen would struggle to extract the amount of performance that this car has, such as the level of downforce. 
Christian Horner said, as reported by racingnews365.com.
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Adrian Newey had previously claimed that the RB17 Hypercar fell into ‘aircraft territory’ solely due to its specifications. Additionally, the chassis is so capable that people believed the car could partake in the 24 hours of Le Mans. Christian Horner had put forth his wishes to witness the RB17 run a race of the Le Mans after revealing the car.

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Christian Horner labeled RB17 Hypercar as a ‘celebration’ of Adrian Newey’s time with Red Bull

Adrian Newey joined Red Bull in 2006 and led the team to monumental success in multiple seasons. The aero-genius allowed the team to dominate a major chunk of the ground-effect era. Hence, after Newey’s departure in the 2025 season, the RB17 Hypercar would remain as a reminder of the technical wizard’s work with the team.

Adrian Newey and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)
Adrian Newey and Christian Horner (via IMAGO)

Christian Horner reckoned that the rare collection of RB17 Hypercar was a ‘celebration’ for Newey’s long service to Red Bull in F1.

It's a celebration now of Adrian's time with the team. It's 50 very special cars.
Christian Horner added.

Max Verstappen would surely still try his hands in racing the Hypercar on one occasion or another. The Dutchman has to currently shift his maximum focus to the 2024 season and Red Bull’s struggles. The 26-year-old has continued his impressive performance despite the various issues. Hence, the coming years will be exciting to witness how the Austrian constructor fares in the absence of Newey.

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