Purple Bull has launched the automotive that Max Verstappen will use in his title defence this yr.

Pictures of the automotive and its new livery leaked on social media shortly earlier than the official launch video was aired throughout numerous on-line platforms, together with Purple Bull Racing’s YouTube account.

Group principal Christian Horner mentioned that the automotive launched on Wednesday, which regarded markedly much like the idea automotive launched by F1 final yr, would evolve considerably from its launch specification, that means it may look very totally different when the actual factor hits the monitor in preseason testing later this month.

The brand new RB18 has been constructed to F1’s overhauled technical rules for 2022 and, in consequence, will probably be a major departure from Verstappen’s championship-winning RB16B of 2021. A number of options — together with the bigger wheels, low-profile tyres and swept wings — on the RB18 launch automotive will probably be widespread throughout all F1 vehicles this yr.

Though it’s not but clear the place Purple Bull will stack up towards its opposition this yr, the group has one of the crucial profitable aerodynamic departments in F1, that means the ultimate product is more likely to turn into a reference level for rival groups as they hone their vehicles underneath the brand new guidelines.

The Purple Bull RB18 will probably be powered by an up to date model of the Honda engine that took Verstappen to the title final yr, however the V6 turbo hybrid has been rebadged underneath the “Purple Bull Powertrains” title after Honda’s departure from F1.

Purple Bull has made American firm Oracle its title companion this yr, and the group will probably be identified formally as Oracle Purple Bull Racing.

Verstappen will proceed to be partnered by Mexican driver Sergio Perez, who hopes to problem his teammate for the title this season after being comprehensively outperformed by the world champion in 2021.