Visa Cash App RB (VCARB) became the latest team to launch its 2024 Formula 1 competitor, VCARB 01, at a glitzy event in Las Vegas.

Formerly known as AlphaTauri, the sister team of Red Bull has gone with an old Toro Rosso-inspired livery predominantly in blue, with hints of white and, of course, carbon fibre. Although, compared to other launches we’ve seen so far, the VCARB livery brings a welcome splash of colour to the grid.

Daniel Ricciardo and Yuki Tsunoda, who both completed last season with the team, continue for VCARB and were present at the event in all new white race suits to pull back the cover to a packed crowd. There was also a performance from Kendrick Lamar as the world of Formula 1 returned to the city which hosted an event filled race only three months ago.

As well as a change of team name, there were changes at the top as former Ferrari sporting director Laurent Mekies replaced long-time team principal Franz Tost. Former FIA F1 executive director Peter Bater has also joined RB as chief executive.

The team will be looking to improve on last season’s eighth-place finish in the constructor’s championship, while Ricciardo and Tsunoda will be hoping to impress enough to earn a potential seat with Red Bull in 2025 - presuming Sergio Perez’s contract isn’t renewed at the end of the season.

Next week sees the final set of cars released with launches to come from Aston Martin, Ferrari, Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull.

words: Mike Booth
pictures: Red Bull