Red Bull dominates the first day of F1 pre-season testing, outpacing other teams…
Verstappen’s fastest time was 1.1 seconds ahead of the rest of the field, and he completed an impressive total of 143 laps..
The Formula 1 off-season duration can be perceived differently depending on who you ask; for some, it feels lengthy, while for others, it passes quickly.
While drivers often use this time to travel, enjoy themselves, and reconnect with loved ones, team personnel typically endure lengthy days and nights at the factory, anticipating the start of pre-season testing. Now that the first day of testing has concluded, here are some key observations.
Red Bull Maintains Its Dominance
No surprises here. Pre-season testing isn’t primarily about setting fast lap times; it’s about ensuring the car is functioning properly, both with existing components and any new additions. Red Bull and Max Verstappen had such a smooth day that they managed to complete an extensive 143 laps in the new RB20, equivalent to nearly two races around the Bahrain International Circuit.
Verstappen expressed his satisfaction, stating, “It feels good to be back in an F1 car again, and I had fun out on track today.” He highlighted the importance of testing various setups and adjustments, noting that the car responded well overall. Despite the initial adjustment period after the winter break, Verstappen quickly regained his rhythm.
While Verstappen’s fastest lap of 1:31.344 was 1.1 seconds quicker than Lando Norris’ McLaren, the exact lap times are somewhat insignificant at this stage. What truly matters is the remarkable improvement compared to last year’s testing, with the Red Bull RB20 being 1.5 seconds faster. This demonstrates the significant development progress made by Red Bull Racing over the past year.
Wednesday was solely focused on Verstappen; however, Thursday will see Sergio Perez taking the wheel.
The Mercedes W15 offers a more pleasant driving experience.
George Russell took the wheel on Wednesday, focusing on starting the year positively rather than fixating on lap times. In terms of reliability, the day was indeed a success, with Russell completing an impressive 122 laps, just 21 shy of Verstappen’s total.
“It was great to drive the W15 for the first time today. Right from the start, it felt like we had a solid foundation to build upon. We managed to cover a lot of laps and gather plenty of data, which will be valuable for our analysis tonight,” Russell shared with F1.com. “We finished the day in a reasonably good position, and we can use this as a base to progress over the next two days.”
The upcoming season holds significant importance for the Silver Arrows, as they aim to capitalize on any momentum gained during the latter stages of the 2023 season. With Hamilton set to depart at the end of the year, maintaining top performance will be crucial not only to retain Russell but also to attract another high-caliber talent to replace Hamilton. Speaking of the seven-time champion, Hamilton is scheduled to drive the W15 for the first time on Thursday.
It was a day of mixed results.
McLaren, Ferrari, and Red Bull Racing secured the top five positions, with Daniel Ricciardo completing 52 laps, fewer than his teammates Lando Norris (73 laps), Carlos Sainz (69 laps), and Pierre Gasly (61 laps). Norris came closest to Verstappen in terms of lap times, albeit still 1.1 seconds behind.
Overall, it was a day of getting back into the swing of things for the premier racing series as it gears up for its longest season to date. Drivers, team principals, and familiar faces were spotted around the circuit, with varying degrees of willingness to engage with the media. Christian Horner, in particular, attempted to keep a low profile amid ongoing scrutiny over a controversial investigation, the details of which remain unclear.
As day two approaches, anticipation builds for what lies ahead.
