It’s 12:26pm, and Racing Bulls’ new Formula 1 car suddenly roars through the silence of the Acque Minerali park in Imola.
Responding to F1’s new chassis and engine regulations, the Red Bull Ford-powered VCARB 03 was sporting the livery unveiled in Detroit on 15 January and was equipped with full-wet demonstration tyres amid light rain showers.
Although a few teething problems occurred in the morning, the new car was able to complete three laps – as many as the rules allow for ‘Demonstration Events’, which are limited to 15km with current cars.
On this occasion, it was driven by Liam Lawson, with rookie team-mate Arvid Lindblad looking on with curiosity.
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
Photo by: Davide Cavazza
Racing Bulls is based in Faenza, less than 15km away from Autodromo Enzo e Dino Ferrari, which makes Imola the perfect location for early track action.
The car appeared very similar to what was seen on the livery renders. The trapezoidal airbox stands out, as does the nose, which dives very close to the front wing’s main plane. The sidepod inlets are extremely narrow – a solution that was seen on all cars that have run so far. A pushrod layout is used for both front and rear suspensions and will remain for the Barcelona test from 26-30 January.
Racing Bulls will be back on track tomorrow for a 200km ‘Promotional Event’, i.e. a filming day, where Lawson and Lindblad are expected to share the new car. Again fitted with demonstration rubber, the VCARB 03 will cover a maximum of 40 laps at Imola, with its drivers thus gaining experience ahead of the Catalan running.
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