Racing Bulls Plan Significant Update for 2026 Season Opener

Racing Bulls boss Alan Permane confirmed the team will introduce a “significant update” to its 2026 car before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. This strategy mirrors Ferrari's approach of bringing a B-spec car to Bahrain testing, as teams navigate the massive regulatory overhaul involving new power units and active aerodynamics.

Why it matters:

The 2026 regulations represent the biggest technical shift in F1 history, with Red Bull producing its own powertrains and new active aero rules coming into play. Teams face a critical trade-off between developing parts as late as possible for maximum performance and ensuring they are manufactured in time for the start of the season.

The details:

• Tactical Split: Ferrari plans to run a basic version of the SF-26 in Barcelona for reliability checks before deploying a B-spec in Bahrain for performance. Permane indicated Racing Bulls will follow suit, stating the car tested in Barcelona won't be the one racing in Melbourne.
• Development Race: Teams are pushing to finalize mechanical designs and wind tunnel work as late as possible. Permane noted that the later the development, the faster the car, but installation of the engine and radiators heavily influences sidepod and floor geometry.
• New Era Context: Red Bull and Racing Bulls recently unveiled their 2026 liveries in Detroit, marking the start of Ford's partnership and Red Bull's era as a power unit manufacturer.

The big picture:

With simultaneous chassis and engine regulation changes, the pressure is on to get the packaging right immediately. The integration of the new power units with cooling requirements and aerodynamic efficiency is the defining challenge of the preseason.