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New-look Red Bull RB20 makes the headlines on the observe and on the timesheet with Max Verstappen ending the primary day forward of Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz; watch day two of testing stay on Thursday from 7am on Sky Sports F1
By James Galloway in Bahrain
Max Verstappen set the tempo from McLaren’s Lando Norris on the opening day of 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain by a full second as Red Bull’s eye-catching new RB20 automotive made a formidable official observe debut.
Verstappen, the reigning triple world champion, was already main the best way throughout the opening day’s eight hours of operating earlier than the Dutchman improved his time once more inside the ultimate half-hour with a finest lap of 1:31.344, on the yellow-marked C3 tyres.
One of solely two drivers to spend the total day within the automotive, Verstappen additionally accomplished a mammoth 143 laps – comfortably away from greater than two Bahrain GP race distances.
Verstappen’s quickest effort within the floodlit night situations at Sakhir was a full 1.1 seconds quicker than Norris, who ran solely within the afternoon after team-mate Oscar Piastri had accomplished the morning within the MCL38.
Carlos Sainz took third after additionally solely operating within the afternoon for Ferrari, 1.2 seconds off the tempo, with Daniel Ricciardo fourth in a powerful debut for the rebranded RB group’s new automotive.
The headline timesheet at testing not often supplies a completely correct image of true competitiveness given groups preserve their gas ranges, engine settings and set-ups near their chests. It can be unlikely that Red Bull’s single-lap tempo benefit over their nearest pursuers is a full second at this stage of pre-season.
Ted Kravitz takes a primary have a look at the brand new daring 2024 Red Bull in the course of the first day of testing in Bahrain
But what did nonetheless seem clear from the opening day was that the RB20 – the successor to final 12 months’s all-conquering RB19, which received a report 21 races from 22 – has hit the bottom operating after a session during which Verstappen appeared more and more comfy on observe.
The automotive had already proved the discuss of the morning owing to affirmation, after clues ultimately week’s launch, that it did characteristic a brand new strategy to the design of its sidepods and cooling inlets in comparison with Red Bull’s already-successful automobiles of the previous two years.
Aston Martin additionally loved a productive day with Lance Stroll (fifth) and Fernando Alonso (eighth) finishing over 120 laps.
Ted Kravitz is joined by Pat Symonds to debate Mercedes’ new entrance wing in the course of the first day of testing from Bahrain
Mercedes’ George Russell, in the meantime, joined Verstappen in operating all by way of the day and he racked up a wholesome haul of 116 laps because the group assessed their overhauled new automotive, which features a front-wing design which has sparked intrigue.
Most groups appeared to get pleasure from trouble-free operating on Wednesday however Williams did expertise points with their new automotive.
Logan Sargeant takes his Williams for a spin in the course of the first day of F1 testing from Bahrain
A fuel-pump subject stopped Alex Albon on observe in the course of the morning earlier than a suspected driveshaft drawback curtailed Logan Sargeant’s programme within the afternoon. In between these two stoppages, Sergeant had a wild spin off.
* the C5 tyre is the toughest – and theoretically slowest – compound, whereas C1 is the softest – and theoretically quickest – compound
Sky Sports F1’s pre-season testing schedule
Thursday February 22 – Day Two
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
- 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
Friday February 23 – Day Three
- 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
- 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
- 8pm: Testing Wrap
- 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
- 9pm: Development Corner
When is the primary F1 race?
Just one week after testing, the opening race of the 2024 season will start with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29 to March 2.
Due to the Muslim holy interval of Ramadan, the Bahrain and, seven days later, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, can be held on a Saturday.
This means observe one and two will happen on Thursdays, with closing observe and qualifying on Fridays.
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Watch pre-season testing stay after which each spherical of the brand new season, beginning with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29-March 2. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership
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