Racing Bulls Brings Spa Updates and New Aero Tweaks to Hungary

Racing Bulls has brought its latest technical updates to the Hungarian Grand Prix, fitting both VCARB 03s with the revised cooling package and square-shaped airbox that was tested on only one car at Spa-Francorchamps. The team has also introduced additional aerodynamic refinements, including lateral fins on the engine cover, as it pushes to stay ahead in the tight midfield battle.

Why it matters:

With the constructors' championship fight heating up, Racing Bulls is level on 61 points with Alpine in fifth place. Every incremental gain is critical as the team tries to cement its position as the leading squad behind Formula 1's established frontrunners. These updates are not just about catching rivals, but about holding off a resurgent Alpine while maximizing the VCARB 03's potential on high-downforce circuits like Budapest.

The details:

• Cooling overhaul: Both VCARB 03s now feature the smaller, square-shaped airbox and revised cooling system that was tested on Arvid Lindblad's car in Belgium, replacing the older trapezoidal design still used by Liam Lawson last week.
• New lateral fins: Engineers led by Tim Goss and Dan Fallows have added two lateral fins to the upper section of the engine cover. These elements help channel airflow toward the rear wing.
• Roll hoop refinement: The redesign reduces the frontal cross-sectional area around the roll hoop, improving rear wing efficiency and overall aerodynamic performance.
• High-downforce focus: The Budapest circuit demands maximum downforce, making these refinements particularly valuable for generating consistent grip and balance through the Hungaroring's tight, twisty layout.

What's next:

Racing Bulls will be watching closely to see if these changes translate into a tangible lap time advantage against Alpine. Maintaining momentum in the development race will be vital if the team is to secure fifth in the standings and close the gap to the top teams. The coming races will reveal whether this aggressive push can sustain its unlikely status as the midfield's benchmark.