Racing Bulls VCARB 03 livery: British girl Arvid Lindblad hails ‘real moment’ ahead of rookie F1 season | F1 News
British teenager Arvid Lindblad hailed the “real moment” as the rookie’s Racing Bulls team unveiled its bid for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
The 18-year-old, who will drive alongside Liam Lawson, has been officially unveiled as an F1 driver as Racing Bulls unveils its new look for next season, including the addition of a blue livery to the VCRB 03 in a nod to new partner Ford.
The engine for the 2026 Racing Bulls will be supplied by Red Bull Powertrains – the newly formed engine department of the Red Bull supergroup – who are partnering with Ford as they produce power units for the first time to comply with the introduction of new regulations for both power units and chassis.
The team unveiled its release alongside Red Bull in Ford’s hometown of Detroit, with the first reveal of the season being launched in 2026.
The glittering event at the Central Michigan train station saw Detroit singer Big Sean launch the car with a 60-second rap.
Racing Bulls said: “The team has chosen to continue with its pure white look, enhanced by a subtle nod to its collaboration with Ford. Clear blue accents now trace the chassis, lifting the design sharply, with a simple finish.”
Lindblad has been fast-tracked to the F1 seat after a remarkable rise from the grassroots level that saw his prediction five years ago that newly crowned world champion Lando Norris would join him on the grid come true.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Racing Bulls rookie driver Arvid Lindblad is looking forward to his first F1 season after being promoted from F2.
Lindblad said: “This moment is real. To be presented as a Formula 1 driver at an event like this, in an amazing setting, is something I will never forget.
“The vision of the team, the new power unit, and the belief they have shown in me means a lot. I am ready to learn, work, and give my all as we begin this new chapter together.”
Racing Bulls are in ‘strong ground’ at the start of the new F1 era
Racing Bulls are trying to build on a successful 2025 campaign that saw them finish sixth in the Constructors’ Championship, equaling the team’s best result since it was founded in 2006 as Toro Rosso, before being AlphaTauri and RB before being called Racing Bulls last year.
The team will face the same challenge as Red Bull as it tries to compete using a manufacturer-supplied engine, but remains optimistic about its prospects for next season, which begins with the Australian Grand Prix on March 8.
Racing Bulls team principal Alan Permane said: “2026 represents the biggest technological change Formula 1 has ever seen, and working with Ford at the start of this journey is very important to us.
Please use the Chrome browser for a more accessible video player
Speaking on the F1 Show podcast, Karun Chandhok, Bernie Collins and Ted Kravitz discuss what they expect from the 2026 season, which will see new rules.
“The Red Bull Ford Powertrains project brings together world-class engineering, innovation and racing DNA, and puts us in a strong position as the sport enters this new era.
“We’ve been working together and we’re proud of what the Red Bull family has developed. It’s something we’re excited to have in our race car as we hit the track in the coming weeks”.
New Zealander Lawson, 23, is looking to re-establish himself as he started last season alongside Max Verstappen at Red Bull before being demoted to Racing Bulls after just two rounds.
Lawson said: “The partnership between Ford and Red Bull, the energy in the team, and the desire to seek what’s next makes this an exciting time to be part of the VCRB. I’m more motivated than ever to push forward and help turn that vision into results in the right way.”
When is F1 pre-season testing?
The introduction of the new rules means there is a tight schedule of three separate test events before the start of the 2026 season.
The first is a closed event in Barcelona from January 26-30, before two tests follow in Bahrain from February 11-13 and 18-20.
When is the first F1 race?
The teams then have two weeks to prepare for the opening round of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.
The first practice sessions of the season will take place on Friday 6 March, with Qualifying on Saturday 7 March and the opening race on Sunday 8 March.
Watch all 24 race weekends of the 2026 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1. Stream Sky Sports NOW – No contract, cancel anytime
