Verstappen dominated the timing screens on Friday, setting a time that was 1.1 seconds faster than anyone else. He spent the entire day driving the Red Bull RB20, which proved to be the benchmark for the other teams. Ferrari had their turn with softer tires and jokingly claimed the title of “Testing World Champions” for the three days at the BIC.
The RB20 designed by Adrian Newey was an impressive sight when it was unveiled. Verstappen immediately showed its potential as the car was stable and planted on the track. Compared to the other new F1 cars, it seemed to be the most refined.
Sergio Perez did not have the same level of success as his teammate, but he wasn’t complaining. Red Bull once again showed that they are ahead of the competition. Fernando Alonso, speaking to reporters in Bahrain, acknowledged their domination and the surprise of their new concept. He admitted that it is difficult for other drivers to compete with them.
Behind Red Bull, it seems that Ferrari and McLaren are the closest competitors, with some surprises thrown in. The Aston Martin AMR24 is rumored to be a strong car, and its true potential will be revealed at the Bahrain Grand Prix.
After testing the car, Alonso commented on the progress made by all teams this year. He recognized that the concepts and ideas behind the cars are similar, making the competition fierce and intense. He plans to make some configuration changes to find the optimal performance of his car.
Alonso also mentioned that testing does not provide a clear picture of where each team stands. The true order of ranking will be revealed after qualifying next week. Despite the uncertainty, Alonso feels prepared and ready for the start of the new season.
Alonso will be starting his 379th Grand Prix in Bahrain, and he hopes to gain more knowledge and insights during the upcoming races. He is optimistic about the progress made during testing and looks forward to the start of the season.
