Despite ranking ninth on the timesheets, Max Verstappen was pleased with how the first day of pre-season test went for Red Bull.
To begin Red Bull’s pre-season test, Max had a low-key but effective day.
With the Dutch driver attempting to protect his Drivers’ World Championship trophy in 2022, ninth place on the timing screens for the first day of the pre-season trial in Barcelona may not seem like much, but at the chequered flag, it was Verstappen’s high lap count that attracted the eye.
Verstappen drove the new RB18 for the whole day, accomplishing 147 laps in total during the 8 hours on the circuit. Only Ferrari, with 153 laps divided between Carlos Sainz and Charles Leclerc, did extra laps – just six more.
Verstappen ended 2.7 seconds behind McLaren’s Lando Norris, but he was pleased with how his day behind the wheel had gone.
“The car is completely different. I think the RB18 looks good but, of course, it’s about being fast [and] we hope to see that,” Verstappen told his own website after the session.
“Today it was about doing a lot of laps, getting used to the car, and getting an idea of how the car behaves.
“Everything worked fine, so it was a good start. Tonight we will see what we can already learn and take with us to tomorrow, when Checo [Perez] is in the car.”
A minor off isn’t a concern for Verstappen
Verstappen has been the only driver to make a mistake during the session, crashing into the gravel in chaotic way.
He luckily did not cause any problems and was able to continue the race and continue his programme without disruption.
“Of course, you go wide here or there or you lock a wheel,” explained an unconcerned Verstappen afterwards.
“You also find out what the balance of the car is, and step by step what the limits of the car are. But the most important thing is to drive a lot and let the different parts put in miles.”
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