Liam Lawson completed 88 laps for Racing Bulls during the first day of Formula 1’s Barcelona Shakedown, setting a lap time of 1:21.513 that placed him sixth out of nine drivers on track Monday. The team prioritized accumulating mileage over outright speed, particularly because Racing Bulls is utilizing Red Bull’s inaugural power unit for the 2026 season.
This marked Lawson’s second appearance on track, following his recent outing with the VCARB03 at Imola last week, but it was his first session with unrestricted running on the new 2026 Pirelli tires.
Racing Bulls Unveil Innovative Nose Design to Enhance Aerodynamics
According to Motorsport Italy, Racing Bulls introduced a significantly altered nose design compared to their Emilia Romagna tests. The updated nose is narrower and features a more rounded shape, reflecting a different aerodynamic approach.
Tim Goss, the team’s chief technical officer, developed a new ‘double flap’ element on the nose, which has been described as a ‘brilliant idea’ and a ‘creative achievement’ expected to increase front-end downforce. Motorsport journalist Franco Nugnes predicts that rival teams will likely adopt similar innovations before testing concludes.
Team Strengthens Technical Leadership and Shows Bold Design Choices
The Racing Bulls car also grabbed attention for its prominent airbox, which surprised many experts observing the first images on track. These features illustrate the team’s ambition with their 2026 car concept.
Further bolstering their technical department, former Red Bull and Aston Martin engineer Dan Fallows recently joined Racing Bulls as technical director. This addition is viewed as a strategic move to refine and accelerate the car’s development throughout testing.
Liam Lawson Reflects on Challenges and Progress After Opening Test Day
Lawson experienced a red flag incident during the initial day of testing but described such issues as normal for this phase of the program. Despite minor setbacks, he regarded the day as a positive step forward for Racing Bulls.
Adjusting to the new power units and differing car dynamics is critical this season, making these early test sessions especially important for Lawson and his teammates.
“It’s very interesting at this point – new cars, new power units and very, very different to drive, so for us just adjusting at the moment, but so far all good,”
Lawson said on F1’s official platform.
“We did a good amount of laps today – obviously we learned a lot, we had a few little things along the way which are expected on day one, but I think [we’re] in a decent place.”
Lawson’s simulator time prior to testing was limited, as Racing Bulls must pay to use Red Bull’s simulator equipment and comply with the sport’s cost cap regulations. This restriction places emphasis on maximizing real-track running during official sessions.
Implications for Racing Bulls and Rival Teams Moving Forward
The introduction of the innovative nose design and strengthened technical expertise positions Racing Bulls as a team to watch in the 2026 season. Their willingness to implement bold design concepts, combined with steady progress from drivers like Liam Lawson and Arvid Lindblad—who will join testing later this week in place of Isack Hadjar—reflects a serious effort to improve on last year’s sixth-place finish.
As testing progresses, other teams are expected to respond to Racing Bulls’ aerodynamic advancements, potentially sparking a wave of development across the grid. The adaptations made early in the season could influence competitive dynamics as Formula 1 moves closer to its new era with updated power units and regulations.
