Racing Bulls has introduced a distinctive new “spoon” profile in the central section of its VCARB03 front wing for the Azerbaijan Grand Prix, part of a wider package designed to change airflow across the front of the car and generate more aerodynamic load.
The Faenza-based team is continuing to develop its 2026 car deep into the season as it attempts to consolidate fifth place in the Constructors’ Championship ahead of Alpine. Technical director Tim Goss has overseen a series of related changes that extend beyond the front wing to the brake ducts, splitter and carbon-fibre front suspension covers.
Racing Bulls keeps developing VCARB03 in fight with Alpine
Racing Bulls continues to trade blows with Alpine in an increasingly important battle for fifth place in the Constructors’ standings. The Italian team currently holds a nine-point advantage over Flavio Briatore’s squad and is determined not only to protect that gap but, if possible, increase it.
There is also optimism surrounding the return of Liam Lawson to a regular Racing Bulls race seat in place of Yuki Tsunoda. Lawson comes back after a positive spell alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull, where he deputised for the injured Isack Hadjar.
The objective for Racing Bulls is significant. The team is aiming to finish fifth and become the leading constructor behind Formula 1’s four established front-running teams, which would represent the best championship position in its history.
New ‘spoon’ front wing changes Racing Bulls airflow concept
Goss has therefore maintained an aggressive VCARB03 development programme unusually late into the campaign. Racing Bulls’ Faenza operation, supported by its aerodynamic department based in Milton Keynes, continues to produce new components as the midfield battle remains finely balanced.
The most striking development in Baku is the revised front wing. A spoon-shaped section has appeared in the central area underneath the pylons supporting the nose, altering the wing’s profile and the way airflow is managed immediately downstream.
The intention is to modify the flow structures generated at the front of the car while searching for additional downforce. However, such a change cannot be considered in isolation because the front wing plays a fundamental role in determining the aerodynamic conditions experienced by components further downstream.
Brake duct, splitter and suspension covers also revised
Chief designer Paolo Marabini has consequently revised several other areas of the VCARB03 to work with the new airflow pattern.
The front corner has been modified with a different brake duct inlet, while Racing Bulls has also changed the front splitter and the carbon-fibre covers surrounding the front suspension components.
The package illustrates how even a relatively localised change to a Formula 1 front wing can influence the design requirements of a much larger section of the car. By changing the airflow generated near the centre of the wing, Racing Bulls has had to reconsider how several neighbouring components interact with that new aerodynamic structure.
Baku upgrade underlines Racing Bulls’ push for fifth place
The continuing development programme reflects how seriously Racing Bulls is treating its fight with Alpine. Rather than freezing the VCARB03 and shifting its full attention elsewhere, the team is still searching for gains capable of protecting its nine-point advantage in the Constructors’ Championship.
Baku therefore provides another important test for the updated front-end concept. The new spoon-shaped front wing is the most visible element, but the associated changes to the brake duct, splitter and suspension covers show that Racing Bulls has made a broader attempt to reorganise the airflow around the front of the VCARB03.
With the battle for fifth place still open, every aerodynamic gain could prove important as Racing Bulls tries to establish itself as Formula 1’s leading midfield team behind the four front-running constructors.
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