Published February 21,2024
Subscribe
Triple Formula One world champion Max Verstappen set an ominous tempo as Red Bull picked up the place they left off on the primary day of pre-season testing in Bahrain on Wednesday.
Even if the timesheets could possibly be simply dismissed, with groups operating completely different programmes, there was no denying that the brand new Red Bull already appeared a step up from final yr’s dominant RB19.
Verstappen was comfortably sooner than the quickest lap of the opening day of testing final yr, finishing 143 laps — two race distances — and wrapping up 1.140 away from closest rival Lando Norris within the McLaren.
The Dutch driver’s finest lap of 1 minute 31.344 seconds underneath the night floodlights in comparison with final yr’s opening day better of 1:32.837 on the identical circuit.
The sense of business as standard contrasted with the uncertainty surrounding Verstappen’s crew boss Christian Horner, who has denied allegations of inappropriate behaviour levelled in opposition to him by a feminine worker.
Verstappen, who received a report 19 of twenty-two races final season with Red Bull’s Sergio Perez profitable two extra, was additionally high of the morning session in 1:32.548 when he accomplished 65 laps with none drawback.
Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc was second in that one with Fernando Alonso third for Aston Martin and the final driver inside a second of Verstappen.
Australian Oscar Piastri lapped fourth quickest for McLaren, handing over to Norris for the second stint.
Alex Albon of Williams was the primary driver to expertise any notable drawback, stopping his automobile on monitor because of a gasoline pump drawback with 21 minutes remaining of the primary session.
Team mate Logan Sargeant had a suspected driveshaft drawback afterward.
Mercedes had George Russell of their automobile, whose entrance wing gained loads of consideration, all day — finishing 116 laps — with seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton driving on Thursday.
Team boss Toto Wolff stated the temper within the crew was constructive, with Mercedes placing the emphasis on making a secure platform for growth and spending time making modifications to the automobile within the storage.
“We had a filming day yesterday and then some aero running this morning with no relevant lap times,” added the Austrian.
“So far the feedback from the drivers was yes, this is something we can start to work with and that is encouraging.”
Teams have solely three days of testing earlier than the season begins in Bahrain subsequent week.
Source: www.anews.com.tr