The Racing Bulls team had a filming day at the track today with a car for the 2026 season.

It was planned to complete 40 laps, but due to difficult conditions it was possible to complete 30 laps: 21 laps by Arvid Lindblad, 9 by Liam Lawson.

While the average lap time was 1:50.0, the team did not use the full engine life, limiting the speed at which they could test the systems. For comparison, Oscar Piastri’s pole position at the same track in 2025 under favorable conditions was 1:14.670.

While the first races were delayed by 2 hours and 30 minutes due to ice on the track, one of the drones monitoring the process was damaged during the operation.

The shooting day was an important part of the team’s preparations for the 2026 season; This allowed the team to test new aerodynamics, tire behavior and powertrain performance in a variety of conditions, as well as work on the team’s logistics and procedures in limited weather conditions.

Formula 1 has made significant changes to the broadcast of two pre-season tests in Bahrain ahead of the start of the 2026 season, which will see the Australian Grand Prix open.

While the championship begins preparations for a new era in powertrains with the first of three tests, F1 returns to the tracks next week. Official races will take place in Barcelona, ​​where each team will have the right to practice three days from Monday to Friday.

After that, the peloton will head to Bahrain, where two more three-day tests are planned. The first of these will take place on February 11-13, and the second will take place on February 18-20 at the Bahrain International Circuit.

It was previously assumed that both Bahrain tests would be published in full. However, Formula 1 has now revised these plans.

According to the current F1TV schedule, during the first testing week in Bahrain there will be only one hour of broadcast per day, starting at 15:00 BST. At the same time, the second three-day test will remain unchanged – it will be released in full as planned.

New Racing Bulls driver Arvid Lindblad talks about the Lando Norris case that went viral five years ago.

In 2021, a video emerged of Lindblad approaching Norris at the Adria Karting Raceway in Italy, shaking his hand and saying:

“Lando, I want you to remember me; see you in five years.”

The then 14-year-old British driver had not yet raced an open-wheeler, but today he is preparing for his first season in Formula 1.

With the support of Red Bull, Lindblad has progressed rapidly in all junior categories and has now reached the pinnacle of motorsport.

The video of Lindblad and Norris became popular again due to its promotion from Formula 2 to F1.

Lindblad described the moment he met Norris as follows:

“Lando actually came to the track himself. He arrived at Adria – that was the name of the track – where the race was held.
He was in Italy and launching himself. [картинговое] chassis, that’s why I came to the track. And yes, I told him I’d see you in five years.
Yeah, it’s a funny little story and now it’s become relevant again.”

The fact that Lindblad is one of the youngest drivers to qualify for Formula 1, at just 18 years old, underlines Red Bull’s confidence in the Briton.

He came first in every category he competed in and broke the record for the youngest F2 race winner.

Lindblad said of the confidence that allowed Norris to make this comment five years ago:

“I don’t know… Maybe it was blind hope or something, but from the moment I started this path at the age of five, I always believed that I could enter Formula 1.

I wanted to enter Formula 1 and I believed I could do it. And yes, I believed that when I was five. I believed it the day I saw Lando when I was 14, and I always believe it to this day.

Frankly, I’m very happy and delighted that this happened and turned into a funny story. But I’m looking forward to starting a new journey.”