P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Max Verstappen set the early benchmark, but is Red Bull’s advantage as comfortable as it looks on the timesheet?
At the end of the first day of pre-season testing at Bahrain, Max Verstappen was fastest by over a second, followed by Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz in the top three. Red Bull’s redesigned RB20 ran smoothly, completing 143 laps, showcasing promising performance. Verstappen’s consistent long runs on different tire compounds highlighted the RB20’s race pace potential. Norris and Sainz trailed with slower lap times, indicating room for improvement. The test session provided an early indication of Red Bull’s competitiveness, while Mercedes and other teams focused on catching up. George Russell and Daniel Ricciardo also had solid performances, giving insight into the teams’ preparations for the upcoming F1 season.
