P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari ended up topping most of pre-season Formula 1 testing. But how does its pace really compare to Red Bull? Here’s what Mark Hughes reckons
The pre-season Formula 1 testing results demonstrated that Max Verstappen showed impressive performance, despite ranking fourth on the final day. Verstappen’s time on mid-range C3 tires indicated a potential advantage over Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc and Mercedes’ George Russell on fresh C3s. Ferrari displayed consistent pace throughout testing, while Mercedes’ true performance remains somewhat unknown due to their focus on shorter runs. Despite impressive laps from Sauber and McLaren, Red Bull emerged as a strong contender based on the testing results. The race simulations highlighted Verstappen’s competitiveness, with Leclerc also showing promising performance. Overall, the testing results suggest a closely contested F1 season ahead.
