Image: from RBR Daily X@RBR_Daily
By Open Chronicle F1 News Desk January 18, 2026
In a bold strategic move ahead of the 2026 Formula 1 season, Red Bull Racing has decided not to conduct a traditional shakedown for its new car, the RB22. The Milton Keynes-based squad will forgo its available filming days for a preliminary run, meaning the world will have to wait until the first official pre-season test in Barcelona to see the car in motion.
Verstappen and Hadjar Await Barcelona Debut
While many teams use filming days to ensure all systems are functioning correctly, Max Verstappen and his new teammate, Isack Hadjar, will have to wait until January 26 at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya for their first taste of the RB22. This decision puts immense pressure on the initial sessions in Spain, as it will be the first time the team gathers real-track data on their highly anticipated new challenger.
Racing Bulls to Lead the Way at Imola
In contrast to the senior team, sister squad Racing Bulls (RB) will move forward with a pre-season shakedown. Their new car is scheduled to debut at Imola, providing the first on-track trial for the new Red Bull Powertrains-Ford unit.
This shakedown at the Italian circuit will be crucial for the entire Red Bull family. While Liam Lawson and rookie Arvid Lindblad will be behind the wheel, Verstappen and Hadjar are expected to closely monitor the performance and initial data of the new power unit, which represents Red Bull’s first venture into independent engine manufacturing.
Reliability Concerns and Cautious Optimism
The 2026 season marks a massive technical shift for Red Bull as they debut their own power unit in partnership with Ford. While the team expresses optimism, concerns regarding reliability under maximum load persist.
Speaking during the team’s launch event in Detroit, Isack Hadjar urged a grounded approach. “We’ll see, but we need to stay calm,” Hadjar noted. “We can’t arrive feeling too confident. There will be things that don’t go as planned, and we need to be prepared.”
2026 Launch Calendar Highlights
As the F1 community gears up for the new era, the launch schedule is quickly filling up:
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January 19: Haas
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January 20: Audi
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January 22: Mercedes
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January 23: Ferrari & Alpine
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January 26: Official Pre-Season Testing Begins (Barcelona)
Red Bull’s decision to skip the shakedown suggests a high level of confidence in their simulation tools, but in a year defined by radical engine and aerodynamic changes, the risk of early technical gremlins remains the talk of the paddock.