Another year and another new identity for the Red Bull sister team, with Racing Bulls joining the Formula One grid for 2025.
It’s a slight change from the Visa Cash App RB F1 Team from last year, but will 2025 bring any changes in results for the Italian team.
Last year, the Faenza squad finished 8th in the Constructors’ championship. Yuki Tsunoda‘s 7th placed finishes in Melbourne and Miami were the best results the team managed all year.
The Drivers
With Liam Lawson promoted to the Red Bull team, Isack Hadjar progresses from F2 to make his F1 debut in 2025.
The French driver finished 2nd last season in the F2 Driver’s Championship, behind fellow rookie Gabriel Bortoleto.
Described as “a raw talent” and in “need of a little bit of polishing” by Red Bull team boss Christian Horner, Hadjar is a driver to keep an eye on in 2025.
Hadjar gained a reputation in feeder series for being very vocal on team radio. That echoes traits his now Racing Bulls teammate Yuki Tsunoda once did.
Tsunoda is now entering his fifth season in F1 and with the Faenza team.
With nearly 100 grand prix entries, Tsunoda goes into 2025 with a point to prove after being snubbed for the Red Bull seat.
Tsunoda has since split with his manager after missing out on the promotion last winter.
With 26 points finishes in a lower mid-table team, Tsunoda’s raw pace is clear and he has a knack for beating teammates.
After outperforming Nyck de Vries, Daniel Ricciardo, and Liam Lawson recently, can Tsunoda make it four in a row?
The Car
With the most-changed livery for 2025, the Racing Bulls car certainly turned heads at F1 75 on February 18th.
The car itself still shares many elements with the main Red Bull car. Minor changes to the sidepod inlets and a less pointy nose are some of only a handful of changes to the VCARB 01 from 2024.
Pre-Season test
Racing Bulls clocked the third highest lap count at the test, with 454 laps completed. That’s nearly 8 race distances over the three days.
Overall, Tsunoda and Hadjar went 13th and 14th fastest in the test. As always with testing, lap times must be taken with a pinch of salt.
Opinion
2025 is likely to have more of the same for Racing Bulls. Tsunoda will bring speed and experience to the team with rookie Hadjar adapting to the speed and intensity of F1.
The car appears to have stood relatively still since last season, although the teams around them have shown progression.
This could result in them sliding down the standings and a tough season may lie ahead for the team.
Prediction
Racing Bulls will struggle in the 2025 season, with more time and focus dedicated to the drivers rather than the car itself.
Because of that, the team will drop down the order and finish lower than they did last year.
Anywhere above 9th is a good season for Racing Bulls.