The countdown to the official start of the 2026 Formula 1 season is almost over, and only the Australian Grand Prix will reveal many truths that remained hidden after the Bahrain tests. One of the most intriguing questions concerns the midfield hierarchy, especially for teams aiming to be the top force behind the leading squads. Racing Bulls, despite not showing any spectacular flashes during preseason testing, demonstrated solid performance and reliability, thanks in part to the dependable Ford powertrain. Optimism within the Faenza-based team is clear ahead of Round 1 of this new F1 era.
Lindblad: “Melbourne is a key point, but development will be more important than ever”
One of Racing Bulls’ most notable new faces this season is rookie Arvid Lindblad, the only rookie on the 2026 grid. The British driver, who performed strongly in feeder series, is ready to tackle his first career weekend in Formula 1. “This year there are a lot of unknowns, so it’s hard to set precise expectations,” Lindblad said ahead of the Australian weekend. “We are working hard as a team to be in the strongest position possible for Melbourne. Fighting for points is obviously our goal, but I still have a lot to learn, and my aim is to continue working hard and improving every weekend.”
While it is still difficult to assess the true potential of the VCARB03, Lindblad got a positive first taste of the car in Bahrain. “It’s too early for a full evaluation since we are still in the middle of development, but so far the engine has been working well, it’s fast and reliable. Huge credit to Red Bull and Ford for all the incredible work they’ve done. I’m really excited to get to Melbourne and start racing.”
The three test sessions in Barcelona and Bahrain were not yet enough to have a complete picture of car management. “I would probably say the power unit is the biggest change this year. Even though there’s less aerodynamic downforce and grip, how the PU behaves is something I’m still getting used to. My goal is to understand it, as well as to extract more performance.” Melbourne will be a crucial benchmark for both team and drivers, where they will no longer be able to hide. “F1 is constantly evolving and developing, and I think this year there will be even more of that,” Lindblad added. The Racing Bulls will already bring the first technical upgrades of the year to Australia. “Melbourne will be a key reference point to see which teams and drivers have improved most over the winter and maximized their testing. There’s so much to learn at such a fast pace that the Melbourne grid will evolve significantly during the season, and the cars we see in Abu Dhabi could be completely different.”
Lawson: “I already knew what to expect when I drove the VCARB03 for the first time”
Although the race weekend represents an unknown for both drivers and engineers, Racing Bulls are confident, as Liam Lawson explained ahead of the opening round. “We became familiar with the new regulations at the beginning of last year and started preparing immediately,” he said. “So, when I first drove the new car, I already had a solid awareness of what to expect and the main differences between 2025 and 2026. Some things weren’t a surprise, but when you get in the car you’re still learning to optimize.”
While Lindblad highlighted the complexity of the new power units, Lawson focused on energy management, a crucial aspect of this new regulatory cycle. “Battery management is definitely the most difficult aspect to understand. It’s very different from last year, much more sensitive, especially when preparing the battery for a qualifying lap or managing a longer stint. Plus, the cars have significantly less aerodynamics, which makes them harder to drive and less forgiving overall.” Regarding his ambitions for 2026, Lawson added: “The goal is to score points, but personally my aim is to get the most out of myself and deliver the best performance possible every time I’m in the car.”
Permane: “The biggest challenge of my career. Too many unknowns to set targets”
As he noted after the first laps in Bahrain, Team Principal Alan Permane praised Ford’s contribution, especially regarding reliability. “Ford has worked closely with Red Bull Ford Powertrains on the PU, with team members integrated at Milton Keynes. They are an essential part of this process.” Permane also highlighted that preparing such a revolutionary car has not been without its challenges, which will continue throughout the season. “This has been the biggest challenge of my career in F1. It’s not just a change in the chassis or PU regulations, it’s both, meaning the interaction between chassis and PU is stronger than ever. Energy management will be a major challenge, so I’d call that the hardest part so far. The cars will change so much this year that what we see in Abu Dhabi will have little to do with Australia.”
For Alan Permane, 2026 also marks his first full season as Team Principal, after taking over from Laurent Mekies mid-season last year when Mekies was called to Red Bull. “It’s fantastic. I’m really enjoying the role and looking forward to it. I don’t want to set specific targets given how many unknowns there are, but we always aim for perfection in every area.”
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