Red Bull and Verstappen fire ominous warning in first day of testing

The 2024 Formula 1 season has begun in familiar fashion with Red Bull and Max Verstappen dominating the opening day of pre-season testing at Bahrain where Daniel Ricciardo showed strong pace.

Verstappen in the new-look RB20 smashed the field by going over a second clear of next best Lando Norris, whilst completing a mammoth 142 laps being one of the only drivers to drive in both sessions.

His 1:31.344 was set on the second softest C3 compound under lights as the three-time world champion went a second and a half faster than the corresponding session last year.

Despite considering the usual caveats such as fuel loads, run plans etc of testing, having shown such promising pace in the re-profiled car, Red Bull is already feeling very confident in an extremely ominous sign of what is to come after rewriting the record books in 2023.

“It feels good to be back in an F1 car again and I had fun out on track today,” Verstappen said.

“We covered a lot of laps and tried quite a few things with the car, which was important, so happy overall with how it went.”

“Very, very, very impressive,” said Red Bull Motorsport Advisor Helmut Marko.

“We ran 142 laps, without any problems, more or less. And the concept is working and that was the first main thing.

“The car is reacting, and we are developing, so it looks good. We all were smiling a lot.”

Daniel Ricciardo has started 2024 on a fast note by being fourth quickest for Racing Bulls. Photo by Andy Hone / LAT Images

In a positive sign for McLaren, Norris emerged second fastest in a lot more promising start to testing than last year when the team was one of the slowest.

After taking over from Australian Oscar Piastri in the evening session, Norris recorded a 1:32.484. The Brit did lead momentarily before Verstappen shot clear.

Having completed 57 laps in the morning, Piastri ended up ninth fastest with a best time of a 1:33.658.

His fellow Australian Ricciardo impressed, putting the Racing Bulls #3 up to fourth, just 0.015s away from third placed Carlos Sainz in the Ferrari.

Pierre Gasly put Alpine in the top five a further two tenths back with Lance Stroll in sixth, two places and four tenths ahead of Aston Martin teammate Fernando Alonso.

Splitting the two Aston Martins was Charles Leclerc, who set a 1:33.247 in the morning session.

Completing the top 10 was Zhou Guanyu for Sauber as Logan Sargeant was 11th after experiencing a wild spin at the turn 9-10 double left hander.

His Williams teammate Alex Albon also had some trouble with his FW56 stopping on track with a fuel pump issue.

Sargeant was still able to record a quicker time then George Russell’s best for Mercedes which was only good enough for 12th, but joined Verstappen in the 100-lap plus club.

Both Haas drivers were at the back as the only ones to be more than 4s off Verstappen, but neither will be panicking.

Lewis Hamilton and Sergio Perez were the only drivers not to hit the track on day 1.

They will make their 2024 debuts tonight on the second day of pre-season testing which is broadcast live on Fox Sports/Kayo from 17.50 AEDT.

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