Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson, the daredevils behind the wheel of Red Bull’s RB21, have finally taken their new ride for an inaugural spin around the Bahrain circuit. Their initial impressions? So far, so good.
The RB21, Red Bull’s much-anticipated 2025 challenger, was finally unleashed on the tracks after its grand reveal at London’s O2 Arena last week. The excitement ran high as Verstappen and Lawson took turns to navigate the car, gaining its first real-world experience. And now, both drivers have had their say on their latest ride.
The day’s agenda was more about getting a feel for the car rather than clocking top speeds, as both drivers barely missed out on their targeted 200km of filming day running around Sakhir. This was the prelude to the intensive pre-season testing that awaits them.
Verstappen, the reigning World Champion, was quick to express his delight at being back on the track. “It’s good to be back on track in Bahrain for this filming day before we head into testing. It is really nice to be back driving again and to get into RB21 for the first time,” he said. Even though Verstappen only got a few laps in, he acknowledged that the day was more about getting comfortable in the car and understanding what fits.
He further added, “We know what last year’s limitations were, so it is important that we assess the pace over the next few days and see if we have improved.” He also spoke about the importance of getting a lot of mileage on the car and lots of runs in to understand where they can find time. The Dutchman refrained from setting any targets for the season, as it’s still too early to know how competitive they are. But he did express his excitement about getting back to racing, especially at Spa and Zandvoort, his personal favourite tracks.
Lawson, on the other hand, is gearing up for his first full season in Formula 1. His first impressions were positive. “First impressions are good, it is always exciting to get in the car for the first time,” he said. He was also optimistic about the upcoming pre-season testing, pointing out that it would be beneficial for him to learn about the new car.
As for his targets for the season, Lawson kept it simple. “My target, simply, is to be fast and to be where the team needs me to be. The goal is to regain the Constructors’ this year and if we can achieve that then it means I am doing my part.” He voiced his excitement about working with a talented group, many of whom he already knew.
With the first official day of pre-season testing lined up on Wednesday, both drivers will share a session each. Red Bull then plans to give each driver a full day behind the wheel, with Lawson taking charge on Thursday before Verstappen gets the entire day to familiarize himself with his latest title defender.
As they gear up for the testing days, the collective goal remains the same for the team – to be as far up the front as they can. The energy is palpable, and the road ahead, albeit challenging, promises to be an exciting one.