Lindblad Spins During Racing Bulls Imola Shakedown; Lawson Completes Debut Laps

Racing Bulls' pre-season preparations encountered a minor hiccup at Imola as rookie Arvid Lindblad spun the VCARB03 into the gravel trap during a shakedown test. While teammate Liam Lawson successfully debuted the new Red Bull Powertrain in damp conditions just kilometers from their Faenza base, Lindblad's session ended abruptly at Variante Villeneuve.

Why it matters:

This shakedown marks the first on-track action for the team's 2026 package integration. Ensuring reliability and driver comfort early in these limited running windows is critical for Racing Bulls to hit the ground running when pre-season testing officially begins.

The details:

• The Incident: Lindblad lost control and beached the car in the gravel, ending his running early. Video footage shows the car being transported back to the garage on a flat-bed truck.
• Damage Report: The early indications are positive, with reports suggesting the British rookie is unharmed and the chassis sustained no damage.
• Lawson's Role: Lawson was entrusted with the first shakedown laps of the new Red Bull Powertrain. He navigated the 15km demo day limit on a damp track without issue.
• Location: The test took place at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, located just 15km from the team's headquarters, offering a convenient venue for initial checks.

What's next:

The team will immediately return to the track on Wednesday for a more extensive running. Lawson and Lindblad are scheduled to complete a 200km filming day, allowing for a proper shakedown and data collection.