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Red Bull Racing Optimistic After Bahrain Winter Testing
Helmut Marko, an advisor for Red Bull Racing, has expressed optimism following the team’s initial winter test day in Bahrain, suggesting that they may have resolved issues that plagued them during the 2023 season.
The RB20, which demonstrated early dominance under driver Max Verstappen, faced challenges as the season progressed. McLaren and, to a lesser degree, Ferrari began to close the gap, with consistent balance problems affecting both Verstappen and his teammate Sergio Perez, the latter of whom had significant difficulties.
For the RB21, the team from Milton Keynes focused on improving car balance and set-up without sacrificing speed, following a clearer development path outlined since the Italian Grand Prix in September. Initial analysis of the long-run data from the first day of testing indicated that Red Bull may have a slight edge over McLaren, although the typical uncertainties of winter testing remain.
After the first day of running, Marko highlighted the positive performance of the RB21. “The long runs were really competitive; it was the fastest,” he noted. “The car is more predictable and behaves as expected with adjustments. The issues we had last year seem to be significantly improved or potentially resolved.”
According to Marko, Verstappen has noticed enhancements in the car’s complexity and overall cohesiveness, responding well to modifications. “On his fastest lap, he encountered a minor issue, indicating potential for an even quicker time. Nevertheless, our long-run performance was impressive, and tyre management was strong. The car is more versatile and predictable for our drivers,” he explained.
When questioned about other teams’ performances, Marko acknowledged McLaren’s consistency and speed, as well as a solid showing from Mercedes. However, he noted that expectations for Ferrari were not fully met, leaving room for evaluation over the remaining testing days.
Marko also shared his observations regarding Verstappen’s new teammate, Liam Lawson, who has made a commendable start with the team. Lawson’s garage is still working on maximizing performance with the medium tyres. “He performed well,” said Marko, though he mentioned that Lawson struggled to gain time as effectively as others when switching to medium tyres. “We made some adjustments that didn’t yield the desired results, which he recognized. While others improved by three to five tenths, he gained only one tenth,” Marko added.
Photos from the Bahrain Pre-Season Testing – Day 2
The Bahrain winter tests provide a crucial opportunity for teams to evaluate their cars ahead of the new season. Further days of testing will continue to reveal insights as teams prepare for the upcoming Formula 1 campaign.
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