© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
It’s a brand new era: new cars, new regulations and, for us, a new driver. Welcome, Arvid. We’ll get you up to speed with social filming in no time.
Before we dive into the details of the first race of 2026, let’s get you up to speed with recent VCARB happenings.
We had a pretty packed schedule this week, and it all started on Wednesday with the VCARB x Peloton run club with some pretty incredible coastal views. Over 300 VCARB fans joined Peloton on the streets of St. Kilda to transform the Riviera Beach Club into a one-day-only fitness paddock. Starting with some Formation Lap Yoga Flow, VCARB fans then hit the streets of Melbourne for a 5k run before ending at the Pare Ferme Recovery Lounge. And don’t worry, our mechanics didn’t get away with skipping their own Peloton session in the VCARB garage.
Speaking of garages, did you see our first VCARB Garage Session of 2026? Alongside skateboarding brand Hemley, we hosted live performances and great vibes at the HER venue in downtown Melbourne, all as part of our ongoing Creator Platform mission. Check out the ‘evidence’ before it’s deleted forever…
Then it was Liam and Arvid’s favourite: social filming. The theme of the week was to ragebait as much as humanly possible (and we think it’s working). Don’t believe us? Well, here’s Exhibit A... How much further do you think we can push it?
But you’re here for the racing, aren’t you? So let’s get into it.
First of all, check out our race poster, courtesy of the Creator Platform, @gfox_painting and @hemleyskateboarding.
Next, let’s talk about racing down under. Pretty solid performances, we’d say! P5 for Arvid in his debut practice session and P13 for Liam, who improved to P9 in Saturday’s session ahead of qualifying. Both of our drivers made it through Q1 and Q2, so we’re 1/1 for double Q3 appearances in 2026. Liam and Arvid would line up for the first race of the season alongside each other in P8 and P9. Nicely done, boys.
We Love You VCARB Family© Getty Images / Red Bull Content PoolSo let’s get onto the race, shall we?
Arvid made the dream start and was up to P4, passing Norris, Hadjar and Antonelli in the opening corners. Liam had an issue off the line, but quickly recovered to fight back through the pack. By lap 10, Arvid had settled into P6 and Liam was P16. The first of three Virtual Safety Cars was deployed on lap 11 when Isack Hadjar retired with a mechanical failure. Liam took this opportunity to swap to a set of Hard tyres, and he entered battle with Perez’s Cadillac shortly after. Meanwhile, Arvid was defending against Antonelli and Verstappen before pitting on lap 19 under the second VSC, this time for a mechanical issue for Valtteri Bottas.
Pushing On Debut© Getty Images / Red Bull Content PoolOnce we were back racing, Arvid was P7 and Liam was P14. The third and final VSC was deployed on lap 34 for debris on track and Liam once again capitalised to swap for Soft tyres. This gave him plenty of grip to fight with Colapinto and chase after Albon for P12. Liam finished in P13 in what was a solid recovery drive. Towards the end of the race, there were concerns that Arvid might not have boost available, but it didn’t stop him from laying down a clinical drive to finish P8 ahead of Gabriel Bortoleto. Four championship points on debut! Come on, Arvid!
Past In A Flash© Getty Images / Red Bull Content PoolHere’s what our drivers had to say on the opening race of 2026:
Watch Arvid’s Post-Race interview HERE
Watch Liam's Post-Race interview HERE
Where next, we hear you cry? We’re back on track next week for the FORMULA 1 HEINEKEN CHINESE GRAND PRIX 2026, which will also be the venue for the first of six Sprint Races. Join Arvid, Liam and the whole VCARB crew in Shanghai for Round 2 of 2026.
From all of us in Melbourne, hooroo!
Pieing A Fan Was Not Part Of The Weekend Script...But Here We Are© Getty Images / Red Bull Content Pool
