Lindblad Spins During Racing Bulls' 2026 Shakedown at Imola

Footage has emerged of rookie Arvid Lindblad spinning off during Racing Bulls' shakedown of the new VCARB03 at Imola. The incident occurred during a rainy demonstration event, where the team also completed the first laps of the 2026 season with the new Red Bull-Ford power unit.

Why it matters:

While the spin is a minor hiccup, the shakedown marks a critical milestone for the Faenza-based squad as they transition away from Honda power. It also provides the first real-world glimpse of the Red Bull-Ford partnership in action ahead of the new regulations.

The details:

• The Incident: Lindblad lost control at the Villeneuve chicane—the same spot Yuki Tsunoda crashed last year—and ended up in the gravel. The car was recovered on a flat-bed truck, but the off is attributed entirely to the wet track conditions rather than a mechanical failure.
• Power Unit Debut: This session marked the debut of the in-house Red Bull Powertrains engine developed in collaboration with Ford. This is the first time Red Bull has produced its own engines after ending its successful partnership with Honda.
• Driver Lineup: Lindblad, the only rookie on the 2026 grid, shared duties with teammate Liam Lawson during the two-day event, which included a restricted 'demonstration event' and a traditional filming day.

Looking Ahead:

The team will now head to Barcelona for the first official pre-season test next week. The focus will shift from shakedown procedures to serious performance data gathering as the grid prepares for the season opener.