P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen lay down an early marker for Red Bull with comfortably the fastest time on the opening day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain. The three-time world champion has won those tit…
Max Verstappen set the pace with the fastest time on the first day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, showcasing the dominance of Red Bull. He adapted well to the new RB20 concept, which includes significant changes in design compared to its predecessor, the RB19. Verstappen completed 143 laps and was more than a second quicker than his closest competitor Lando Norris in the McLaren. The RB20 allowed Verstappen to push harder and earlier on the throttle than other cars on the track. Other top performers included Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari, Daniel Ricciardo in the Visa Cash App RB, and Pierre Gasly’s Alpine. Despite a minor incident involving Lance Stroll’s lost mirror, testing proceeded without any major interruptions. Meanwhile, Williams faced reliability issues, while Haas struggled with pace, setting the tone for an intriguing pre-season session.
