Racing Bulls are hoping for a rainy Canadian Grand Prix: "We have a slight advantage."

Racing Bulls arrives in Montreal this weekend for the Canadian Grand Prix with one goal in mind: to do better than in Miami. The sister team of Red Bull had managed to score points at every Grand Prix this season so far, first in Australia with Arvid Lindblad, then in China and Japan with Liam Lawson. However, the Miami race unfolded differently, with a retirement for the New Zealander and only a fourteenth-place finish for his British teammate. However, conditions are different in Montreal.

"We have a slight advantage."

The Gilles-Villeneuve circuit has its well-known specific characteristics, but the new 2026 regulations are changing some of the usual parameters. Tim Gross, the technical director of Racing Bulls, explains it clearly: “With the 2026 regulations, using active aerodynamic settings in ‘Straight-Mode’ will significantly reduce drag, allowing us to maintain the standard rear wing height. This simplifies the engineering work to some extent and avoids having to make difficult decisions regarding wing height.” A simplification in appearance, but which is still accompanied by the need to harmonize the chassis and powertrain settings with the characteristics of a very particular semi-permanent track.

The unpredictable weather forecast for the weekend—including rain predicted for Sunday—could play a decisive role. Red Bull's sister team and its rivals have a potential advantage here: Pirelli has implemented a 40-day annual testing program, which began on Tuesday, March 31, with days dedicated to developing 2027 tires.

The technical director of the team based in Faenza he is quick to point this out: “We have a slight advantage in this area, as we tested the wet and intermediate tires during a test session organized by Pirelli after the Japanese Grand Prix, and we will use this knowledge regarding tire warm-up and balance on a wet track.”

Internal changes

In terms of development, VCARB arrives in Montreal with the next phase of its early-season aerodynamic developments, hoping to confirm the progress made since the first rounds. "We are confident that this will allow us to capitalize on our performance to position ourselves well and score points this weekend."Tim Grosse is proceeding cautiously but with determination. The preparation since Miami has been described as satisfactory, including data analysis, simulator sessions on the circuit, and optimization of race pace with both drivers.

This Canadian Grand Prix also marks a first for Dan Fallows, technical director recruited last January but whose appointment took place in April. This is his first trackside visit with the team. A symbolic presence that illustrates Racing Bulls' desire to continue structuring its technical organization for the remainder of the season.

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