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 on softer tires and jokingly claimed the title of “Testing World Champs” for the three days at BIC.
The Adrian Newey-designed RB20 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 improved.
Sergio Perez didn’t have the same level of success as his teammate, but he wasn’t complaining. Red Bull has once again shown that they are ahead of the competition. Fernando Alonso, speaking to reporters in Bahrain, acknowledged their dominance and the surprise of their new concept. He admitted that it’s difficult for the other drivers to compete with them.
Behind Red Bull, it appears that Ferrari and McLaren are the closest competitors, with a few 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 acknowledged that the concepts and ideas behind the cars are similar, making for a tight and intense competition. He plans to make some setup changes to find the optimal performance of his car.
Alonso also mentioned that testing doesn’t provide a clear picture of where each team stands. The true pecking order 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.