Tag Archives: Red Bull

Red Bull Hangar-7 Reopens with Star-Studded Motorsport Extravaganza

The iconic Red Bull Hangar-7 at Salzburg Airport roared back to life with a grand reopening celebration that blurred the lines between motorsport, aviation, and performance art. Leading the charge was none other than four-time Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen, who electrified fans by piloting the championship-winning RB8 down the airport runway in a stunning display of speed, skill, and spectacle.

For the first time ever, the runway at Salzburg Airport was transformed into a motorsport arena, setting the stage for a jaw-dropping live performance. Verstappen wasn’t alone—joining him were legends and rising stars from across the motorsport spectrum, including MotoGP veteran Dani Pedrosa, Dakar Rally ace Daniel Sanders, and NASCAR talent Connor Zilisch.

The show featured an adrenaline-pumping mix of drag races, high-octane tire-smoking donuts, and tightly choreographed stunts. Machines like the WRC M-Sport Ford Puma, the fearsome Dakar Ford Raptor T1+, and KTM’s blistering MotoGP bike screamed down the strip in a celebration of mechanical might.

“This place feels like home,” Verstappen remarked. “There’s always something exciting happening here—planes, cars, helicopters. Motorsports and sports in general come together in such a cool way at Hangar-7. The drag race was a highlight for me—different machines, different disciplines, one strip of tarmac. Amazing!”

The reopening event wasn’t just about horsepower. It paid homage to Red Bull’s multidisciplinary spirit, featuring stunning aerial stunts by the Flying Bulls, immersive musical acts, and dazzling showcases of human athleticism. From the gravity-defying moves of street trials legend Danny MacAskill to the flair of freestyle tennis pro Stefan Bojić, the entertainment spanned far beyond the track.

Live performances from Red Bull athlete and slalom skier Lucas Braathen and Keinemusik’s DJ Rampa set the mood, while British singer and DJ John Newman brought the night to a euphoric close with a high-energy outdoor concert against the breathtaking backdrop of Hangar-7.

Red Bull Hangar-7 has always defied categorization. Originally envisioned by Red Bull founder Dietrich Mateschitz as a fusion of art, aviation, and culinary brilliance, the venue continues to serve as a cultural landmark. The reopening reaffirmed its status—not just as a hangar, but as a canvas for creativity, adrenaline, and bold ideas.

With the thundering engines now quieted and the tire smoke settled, one thing is clear: Hangar-7 is back, and it’s more vibrant, more daring, and more inspiring than ever.

Source: Hangar-7

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Lettenbichler Conquers the “Iron Giant” Again: Fourth Consecutive Red Bull Erzbergrodeo Victory

Against the punishing backdrop of Central Europe’s largest iron ore mine, where only the toughest endure, Manuel Lettenbichler has once again proved he is in a league of his own. The German hard enduro phenom captured his fourth straight victory at the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo, cementing his status as the undisputed king of the world’s most unforgiving off-road motorcycle race.

Known for breaking both bikes and spirits, the Red Bull Erzbergrodeo is 35 kilometers of brutal terrain, littered with rock gardens, steep climbs, and near-vertical descents. Often described as the “ultimate test of physical endurance,” the 2025 edition lived up to its fearsome reputation. Of the 500 riders who qualified, only 14 reached the finish line within the four-hour time limit—a slight improvement over last year’s eight, but still a sobering statistic in a sport defined by attrition.

From the opening moments, the race delivered high drama. The Iron Road Prologue, held in slick, rainy conditions, saw five-time world enduro champion Josep Garcia set the fastest qualifying time. Sunday’s main race, however, belonged to Lettenbichler.

Launching from a strong Prologue result, Billy Bolt of the UK, took the early lead and appeared poised for a showdown. But Lettenbichler, riding for Red Bull KTM Factory Racing, stayed patient. By checkpoint 10, just before the daunting “George Avenue” section, he made his move.

“Coming into this race as a title contender comes with a lot of pressure,” Lettenbichler reflected. “It was really hard to chase Billy during the first third of the race because the pace was very high and Theo [Kabakchiev] was between us. But I managed to pass him and I was trying to make it difficult for Billy. He was riding very well on the rocks, but I knew I should catch him when it was time for the trees.”

Lettenbichler surged ahead and never looked back, finishing in 2 hours and 49 minutes, a commanding 11 minutes ahead of Bolt, who claimed second. Bulgaria’s Teodor Kabakchiev rounded out the podium, finishing in 3 hours and 13 minutes.

Adding to the challenge, a sudden weather shift midway through the race brought fresh rain, further complicating the already treacherous course. Reduced grip and slick rock surfaces forced riders to adapt instantly or bow out. As one rider after another succumbed to the terrain, Lettenbichler’s composure and experience shone through.

“This is a special event—the race that made our sport what it is,” Bolt said after the finish. “I don’t think it would be that hard if you had all day to do the course, but there’s a time limit and 50 riders start from the same line. The intensity, at least for the first hour, is incredible.”

The event wasn’t just about the elite few who conquered the Iron Giant. With over 1,000 riders from 43 countries, the Erzbergrodeo was once again a global spectacle. Rally raid stars like Seth Quintero and Dakar 2025 winner Daniel Sanders joined the action with exhibition runs, adding to the weekend’s electric atmosphere.

But it was Lettenbichler who stood tallest—again—his fourth title underscoring a rare dominance in a sport where victory is often measured simply by survival.

As the engines fell silent and the mud began to settle, one thing was clear: in the harsh world of hard enduro, Manuel Lettenbichler reigns supreme.

Source: Red Bull Motrosports via YouTube

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Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team will have two new drivers at the Dakar Rally

The start of one of the world’s toughest races, the Dakar Rally, is approaching, and the Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team has announced that its new drivers will be Corbin Leaverton and Gonçalo Guerreiro. The two young drivers will replace the previous four drivers, Seth Quintero, Cristina Gutiérrez, Mitch Guthrie Jr. and Guillaume de Mévius, who will compete in the Ultimate Car class.

The Red Bull Off-Road Junior Team has already had Dakar winners in the Challenger class, the brilliant Cristina Gutiérrez, while Guillaume de Mévius finished second in the Ultimate class in the 2024 edition of the Dakar Rally.

Leaverton followed in the footsteps of Portuguese Seth Quintero, who said: “I was in the junior team from the beginning and I owe my career to this program. It was challenging to start with a car that was still in development, but it instilled a lot of work ethic in me. A lot of incredible things happened during that time, including records and victories. I don’t think there’s a better way to start racing in the Dakar than by competing for the junior team.”

“I’m proud of my performance in this year’s Red Bull Scramble series, because these races are held on different types of terrain, in different conditions, and the rivals are different. I enjoy showing up anywhere and being competitive. The Dakar is simply the biggest challenge in the world of off-road racing. It’s a big jump from Southern California. Different cars, different racing styles, different cultures… It’s been great to see Seth and Mitch adapt so well. I want to follow in their footsteps and get to the Ultimate class,” said Leaverton.

Also, Gonçalo Guerreiro said that he is excited to participate in the Dakar Rally and that he shares the great passion for the adventure that this race provides. “I started driving fast cars when I was 17. It’s a passion I share with my father and I’m proud of my journey so far. I was the champion of Portugal in 2022, after which I moved to FIA racing. This year I participated in the Baja Morocco race, where I finished second overall. After the race we stayed in Morocco to test the Taurus T3 Max because of the Dakar focus. I think there are two reasons we all love Dakar, which is a challenge and an adventure,” said Guerreiro.

The 2025 Dakar Rally starts on January 3 in Bisha and ends on January 17, in the Empty Quarter (Rub’ al Khali) desert.

Source: Red Bull