Visa Cash App Racing Bulls has become one of the first Formula 1 teams to debut its 2026 car on track. The team ran the new VCARB 03 at Imola on Tuesday, marking the start of a new technical era for the sport.
The shakedown also marked the first official outing of the RBPT-Ford power unit. The V6 hybrid engine is built by Red Bull Powertrains in partnership with Ford and will power Red Bull-linked teams from 2026.
The session was split between experience and youth. Liam Lawson completed the opening run, covering 15 kilometers in damp conditions without any issues.
Conditions worsened when 18-year-old rookie Arvid Lindblad took over. During his installation lap, he lost grip in heavy rain and spun into the gravel at Variante Villeneuve.
The incident caused no damage to the car, and Lindblad was unharmed. The VCARB 03 was recovered and returned to the garage, allowing the team to complete its planned systems checks.
The car drew attention for its design under the new rules. Large air intakes stood out, reflecting increased cooling needs for the 2026 hybrid system, along with the debut of active aerodynamics.
Racing Bulls will continue running at Imola on Wednesday with a longer filming day. Full pre-season testing is scheduled for later this month in Barcelona.
Despite the brief setback, the debut is seen as a positive step. Every lap provides valuable data as Red Bull Powertrains prepares for its first season as a full engine manufacturer in Formula 1.
