Max Verstappen and Red Bull are still considered the frontrunners for the upcoming season thanks to the new Red Bull RB-20. The recent F1 pre-season testing in Bahrain has concluded, and teams are now looking ahead to the first race of the 2024 season. Verstappen led the first session with an impressive lead of over 1.14s over the second-place driver. In the second session, Verstappen finished in the runner-up spot while driving on a slower compound.
During the third session, Verstappen managed to finish in fourth place with Perez in tenth. Red Bull has achieved great results during the testing session, raising doubts about the winning chances of other drivers throughout the season. Alonso mentioned that the remaining drivers on the grid will be aware of the slim chances of competing for the championship following Verstappen’s dominant performance. The RB20 challenger, designed by the talented aero-genius, is expected to follow the footsteps of the highly dominant RB19 from the previous season.
Verstappen expressed his satisfaction with the new car, stating that its appearance is not as important as its performance throughout the season. He appreciated the team’s decision to push the limits of development for the car, rather than being conservative about the chassis. Other drivers, like Alonso, have accepted the fact that Verstappen’s domination will continue in the 2024 season. The team is hopeful for another successful championship and the developments throughout the season will determine the outcome.