2026 Racing Bulls F1 car launch: VCARB 03 revealed at Imola shakedown

Clear pictures of Racing Bulls’ 2026 Formula 1 car have emerged from Imola, after the team carried out a shakedown of its all-new machine ahead of testing later this month.

The VCARB 03 seen on track features a distinctive wide, flattened airbox and tightly wrapped sidepods, although it looked to be running with a basic aerodynamic set-up, keeping more complex design features hidden for now.

While the car completed just a short distance on its Tuesday run, the shakedown is a momentous step for Red Bull, representing the first laps completed by its in-house power unit, built at Milton Keynes with the technical support of new partner Ford.

Ford hosted Racing Bull’s launch event in Detroit last Friday, where the team and its sister outfit Red Bull unveiled their 2026 liveries. Also in attendance were drivers Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad, the latter making his first appearance as an F1 driver.

As is expected with most January launches, Racing Bulls revealed this year’s livery on a show car, so the shakedown offers the first concrete details about the design of its 2026 VCARB 03 car.

Unsurprisingly the team has changed little about a livery that proved popular with fans last season, save for the addition of Ford logos to the engine cover.

Lindblad described his introduction as a Racing Bulls driver as “surreal”, and it was also a first for team-mate Liam Lawson too, who has never started a year as a driver for the team, despite racing its cars for the past three seasons.

Racing Bulls 2026 F1 car livery reveal: live stream

You can re-watch the launch event live by scrolling up the page to the video.

Racing Bulls 2026 shakedown and testing schedule

Racing Bulls put the first laps on its VCARB 03 during a ‘demonstration’ run at Imola. Each team is allowed two such runs each year with a current car, covering a maximum of 15km (9.3 miles), which is almost exactly three laps of the Imola circuit.

The team may also make use of a filming day to iron out any glitches ahead of pre-season testing. Teams can also hold two of these per year, with up to 200km (124 miles) of running allowed on each, using a current-spec car.

While the primary purpose is to gather footage for promotional use, these days also provide a valuable opportunity to check that core systems are functioning correctly, reducing the risk of avoidable delays once testing begins.

All teams are expected to be present at the first testing session in Barcelona, which will take place behind closed doors from January 26-30.

Racing Bulls’ 2026 car

Racing Bulls enters the new regulatory cycle with far more stability than its sister team, but also with the usual question about purpose.

The Faenza-based outfit is now under the leadership of Alan Permane, with its technical structure almost intact and its role within the Red Bull ecosystem clearly defined as both a competitive constructor and a proving ground for emerging talent.

Power will come from the Red Bull Powertrains-Ford programme.

The team enjoyed one of its strongest seasons in recent history in 2025, securing a solid sixth place in the standings and returning to the podium in the Dutch Grand Prix.

In 2026, Racing Bulls will have the only rookie driver on the grid with Arvid Lindblad, who joins Liam Lawson as the New Zealander prepares for what should be his first full season with the team.

Racing Bulls 2026 F1 driver line-up