Racing Bulls Shake Down VCARB 03 at Imola Ahead of 2026 Season

Racing Bulls hit the track at Imola for the first shakedown of the VCARB 03, just days after its Detroit reveal. Under grey skies at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, the team focused on system checks and installation laps rather than performance, ensuring the new car functions correctly before the season begins.

Why it matters:

This early running is crucial for validating the team's winter development work and identifying any potential gremlins before the cars are shipped to Bahrain. With a new driver lineup featuring a rookie, ensuring mechanical reliability from the get-go is vital to hit the ground running in Barcelona next week.

The details:

• Tuesday's Run: The team completed 15 kilometers under 'demonstration event' regulations, focusing purely on system checks and data gathering rather than setting lap times.
• Driver Lineup: Liam Lawson began his preparations for his first full campaign with the team, while rookie Arvid Lindblad took his first steps in F1 machinery after stepping up from the 2025 FIA F2 Championship.
• Wednesday Plans: The team is utilizing one of its two authorized filming days to expand mileage, giving both Lawson and Lindblad an opportunity to rack up meaningful seat time.

What's next:

The team now heads to Barcelona for official pre-season testing. The goal is to translate these reliable early miles into competitive pace when the lights go green for the first time in 2026.