As the 2025 Formula 1 season looms, Racing Bulls—formerly known as AlphaTauri—has taken drastic measures to shield its latest machine, the VCARB02, from prying eyes. In a bold and unexpected move, the team scrapped its scheduled shakedown at Imola over fears that its new livery could be leaked ahead of the highly anticipated F1 75th Anniversary Group Launch in London.
With suspicions swirling that Racing Bulls’ latest challenger is nothing more than a “Red Bull clone”, the team is doing everything it can to control the narrative and maintain exclusivity heading into the new season. But is this secrecy an attempt to prevent leaks—or to avoid further scrutiny over its growing ties to Red Bull Racing?
Racing Bulls Cancels Imola Shakedown to Dodge Potential Livery Leak
Initially, Racing Bulls planned to roll out its VCARB02 at Imola on Monday, conducting its first run before the official unveiling of all F1 cars at London’s O2 Arena on Tuesday. However, concerns over unauthorized photos leaking online led the team to call off the shakedown at the last minute.
Instead, Racing Bulls will now run its first laps behind closed doors on Wednesday, February 19th, after the official launch.
This shift follows a trend among several F1 teams, including McLaren and Williams, who have been conducting private tests to prevent design details from leaking prematurely. However, Racing Bulls’ last-minute change raises eyebrows—especially with growing concerns over its technical relationship with Red Bull.
VCARB02: A Red Bull Clone or a True Racing Bulls Creation?
Reports indicate that the VCARB02 features key design elements borrowed directly from Red Bull’s all-conquering RB20, including:
✅ Rear suspension & gearbox—Taken straight from Red Bull’s 2024 title-winning car
✅ Shark-mouth sidepods—An aerodynamically aggressive feature pioneered by Red Bull
✅ Philosophy alignment—An overall concept that draws heavily from Red Bull’s proven dominance
Given these direct ties to Red Bull Racing, critics argue that Racing Bulls is essentially running a “B-team” operation—a claim that has dogged the Faenza-based squad since its inception.
However, CEO Peter Bayer has hit back hard against these accusations, insisting that the VCARB02 is NOT a simple Red Bull copy, but rather the result of careful in-house development.
“Our car is unique. It’s the product of rigorous work and engineering within our team,” Bayer asserted, attempting to distance Racing Bulls from allegations of merely recycling Red Bull’s blueprints.
Despite his defense, the timing of the canceled shakedown—along with the technical similarities—has only fueled further speculation that Racing Bulls is Red Bull’s secret weapon in disguise.
Why the Secrecy? What Racing Bulls’ Actions Reveal About 2025 Plans
While every F1 team wants to protect its secrets, Racing Bulls’ extreme approach suggests there’s more at play than just avoiding livery leaks.
- If the VCARB02 is truly unique, why go to such lengths to hide it before the official launch?
- If it’s merely a modified Red Bull, is the team afraid of backlash from F1 rivals?
- Could rival teams pressure the FIA to crack down on technical collaborations, forcing Racing Bulls into a defensive stance?
With pre-season testing in Bahrain just weeks away, Racing Bulls must prove that it is more than just Red Bull’s shadow team. Otherwise, expect controversy to overshadow the team’s 2025 campaign.
One thing is certain: The VCARB02 will be one of the most scrutinized cars on the grid this season.
