P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen and Red Bull had a surprisingly strong F1 pre-season, which his father, Jos Verstappen, feels is “promising” for the year ahead.
Following a productive F1 pre-season testing, there is a growing sense of optimism surrounding Red Bull, with early signs labeled as “promising” by Max Verstappen’s father, Jos Verstappen. The spotlight is on how teams interpret the new technical regulations, the biggest overhaul in a generation. Red Bull faced a significant challenge by introducing a new chassis (RB22) and starting a new chapter with its in-house power unit project in partnership with Ford under the Red Bull Powertrains banner. Impressively, Red Bull showcased strength in reliability during tests despite some disruptions, and the RB22 appeared well-balanced with competitive long-run pace and an unexpectedly strong understanding of aerodynamic regulations. The power unit also showed promise, with good straight-line speed, consistent deployment, and no visible fragility issues, setting a solid platform for further performance extraction. Max Verstappen’s extensive testing without major interruptions provided valuable data, leaving a cautiously optimistic tone from Jos Verstappen about the competitive order, with satisfaction towards the powerful and reliable engine as Red Bull eagerly awaits the season opener.
