It is an extremely important day for Formula 1 in the Motor Valley. In Fiorano Modenese, the Ferrari SF-25 made its track debut with Charles Leclerc at the wheel, but it is not the only 2025 car to have completed its first kilometers.
Eighty-seven kilometers away from the track nestled in the Modenese countryside, at the Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari in Imola, a Honda power unit roars.
Under a typical mid-February sky—gray and lightly misty—Racing Bulls has brought its new weapon, the VCARB 02, to the track for the first time.
The new single-seater, built in Faenza, was unveiled last night with the release of the first official photos, while in London, the team presented the official 2025 livery during an event at the O2 Arena.
Today, there are no studio photos, no lavish ceremonies—only the sound of Honda’s thermal V6 engine. The VCARB 02 hit the track for the first time with Yuki Tsunoda at the wheel. As the most experienced driver in the Italian-Austrian team, the Japanese driver was tasked with completing the initial laps.
Isaak Hadjar, on the other hand, will have to wait a little longer before getting his hands on the new car’s steering wheel. For Racing Bulls, today is crucial to ensure that all systems are functioning perfectly before the single-seater is shipped to Bahrain, where the only pre-season testing session will take place before the season opener in Melbourne, Australia.
Besides the VCARB 02 driven by Yuki Tsunoda, another car is also on track in Imola. It has a different, much darker livery. It is another single-seater built in the Faenza factory, but it is not a Racing Bulls—it is an AlphaTauri.
It is an AT04, entrusted to Ayumu Iwasa. The Japanese driver is taking advantage of a TPC (Test Previous Car) session to gain experience in a Formula 1 car, getting back into the rhythm after driving it in the post-season tests in Abu Dhabi.
Leave a Reply