Visa Cash App Racing Bulls arrive at the 2026 Formula 1 season opener, the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, with strong momentum and a lot of expectations.
The Faenza-based team begins the new rules era with a brand-new power unit, a redesigned car, and one of the youngest driver pairings on the grid.
Leadership from CEO Peter Bayer, team principal Alan Permane, and technical director Tim Goss has helped reshape the program over the past two years. Early analysis in the paddock suggests Racing Bulls could emerge as the strongest team behind F1’s traditional top four.
Pre-season testing in Bahrain showed reliability and promising pace. If that form carries into Melbourne, Racing Bulls could become the main midfield story during the opening rounds of the 2026 campaign.
Here is ReadMotorsport’s preview for Racing Bulls’ 2026 campaign.
Ford, Detroit and a power unit named after a legend
Racing Bulls opened its 2026 campaign with a high-profile launch in Detroit. The team revealed its new livery and introduced rookie driver Arvid Lindblad during an event at Michigan Central Station, near Ford’s headquarters.
The ceremony also marked the debut of the Red Bull Ford Powertrains DM01 power unit. Engineers named the engine after Dietrich Mateschitz, the late founder of Red Bull, who helped launch the powertrain project before his death in 2022.
Ford returned to Formula 1 through this partnership after decades away from the sport. Since Feb. 2023, Ford Racing and Red Bull Ford Powertrains have worked together on the new hybrid system.
Ford brings experience in hybrid systems, combustion engines, battery design, and supply chains. The scale of that support gives Racing Bulls resources and technical depth the team did not previously have.
Testing: Lindblad steals the headlines, Lawson stakes his claim
Racing Bulls completed a productive pre-season test at the Bahrain International Circuit. The team recovered from an early issue and gathered strong data across both test sessions.
The team logged 733 laps across both Bahrain tests. In the second test alone, Racing Bulls ran 407 laps, the second-highest total among all teams.
Lindblad delivered the standout performance. The 18-year-old rookie completed 165 laps in a single day, the highest single-day total by any driver during testing. That distance equals roughly 892 kilometres of running.
On the combined timing sheet, Lindblad set a best lap of 1:34.149, placing 13th overall. Lawson recorded 1:34.532, placing 17th.
Racing Bulls 2026 technical snapshot
| Feature | Detail | Impact |
| Power unit | Red Bull Ford Powertrains DM01, 1.6L V6 turbo hybrid | First fully in-house Red Bull power unit; 50/50 ICE/electric split on 100% sustainable Mobil fuel |
| Chassis | VCARB03, carbon-fibre composite monocoque | Pushrod front suspension; shorter and narrower under 2026 rules; high-rake philosophy |
| Transmission | Red Bull Technologies 8-speed seamless-shift, longitudinal | Carbon multi-disc electrohydraulic clutch; integrated with Red Bull Technologies gearbox |
| Active aero | Standard 2026 specification front and rear wings | X-Mode and Z-Mode deployment; wide front air intake distinctive in Bahrain imagery |
| Driver lineup | Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad | Experienced Red Bull junior with points pedigree, paired with the only rookie on the 2026 grid |
| Testing mileage | 733 laps (3,963 km) across both Bahrain tests | Second-highest team mileage in the second Bahrain test; Lindblad set the highest single-day lap total of any driver in the entire test window |
Driver dynamics: The rookie and the sophomore
Liam Lawson enters the season as the more experienced of the two Racing Bulls drivers. The New Zealander has 34 Formula 1 starts under his belt and a record of scoring points in midfield machinery.
Team principal Alan Permane expects Lawson to lead the team into a new regulation era. He wants the driver to deliver consistent results and prove he deserves a long-term place in the program.
Yet testing produced a surprise. Lindblad finished ahead of Lawson on the combined time sheet and logged more laps than any driver during the second Bahrain test.
The British driver also carries historic weight. At 18, he becomes the youngest British driver in F1 history and the only rookie on the 2026 grid.
The bookies’ view: Best of the rest at a price worth considering
Betting markets see Racing Bulls as the likely leader of the midfield. However, bookmakers still give the team long odds for championships due to the strength of the top four teams. Major bookmakers price Racing Bulls at 12/1 for the Constructors’ Championship. Lawson stands at 150/1 for the Drivers’ title, while Lindblad sits at 250/1.
| Category | Selection | Odds |
| Drivers’ champion | Liam Lawson | 150/1 |
| Drivers’ champion | Arvid Lindblad | 250/1 |
| Constructors’ champion | Racing Bulls | 12/1 |
| Australian GP race winner | Lawson / Lindblad | Long shot |
| Points finish market (Australian GP) | Lawson | 11/10 |
ReadMotorsport tip: The constructors’ market offers the most compelling angle for Racing Bulls ahead of Melbourne. The team is widely regarded as a strong midfield contender behind the top four, yet their odds do not fully reflect that standing. If that assessment holds across a full season, a fifth-place Constructors’ finish is a realistic and arguably underpriced outcome. For individual race betting, Lawson for a points finish in Australia is the more grounded option, given his familiarity with the circuit and the team’s strong reliability record across both Bahrain tests.
Racing Bulls verdict
Racing Bulls enters the 2026 season with renewed confidence. The new DM01 power unit ran reliably during testing, and the VCARB03 showed a competitive pace.
Leadership from Permane provides stability during the first season under the new technical rules. The team also benefits from deeper resources through the Red Bull-Ford partnership.
ReadMotorsport prediction: Racing Bulls will open the season as the best team outside Formula 1’s top four. Lawson has a strong chance to score points in Australia if the car remains reliable. Lindblad’s rookie season will focus on learning and development. If his testing pace continues, he could surprise the paddock well before the European races begin. A fifth-place finish in the Constructors’ Championship would mark clear progress for the team and confirm that Racing Bulls has become a serious force in the Formula One midfield.
