F1 Testing 2024: Max Verstappen quickest on Day One in Bahrain in new Red Bull with Lando Norris second | F1 News

Max Verstappen set the pace from McLaren’s Lando Norris on the opening day of 2024 pre-season testing in Bahrain by a full second as Red Bull’s eye-catching new RB20 car made an impressive official track debut.

Verstappen, the reigning triple world champion, was already leading the way across the opening day’s eight hours of running before the Dutchman improved his time again inside the final 30 minutes with a best lap of 1:31.344, on the yellow-marked C3 tyres.

One of only two drivers to spend the full day in the car, Verstappen also completed a mammoth 143 laps – comfortably clear of two Bahrain GP race distances.

Verstappen’s quickest effort in the floodlit evening conditions at Sakhir was a full 1.1 seconds faster than Norris, who ran only in the afternoon after team-mate Oscar Piastri had completed the morning in the MCL38.

Carlos Sainz took third after also only running in the afternoon for Ferrari, 1.2 seconds off the pace, with Daniel Ricciardo fourth in a strong debut for the rebranded RB team’s new car.

The headline timesheet at testing rarely provides a fully accurate picture of true competitiveness given teams keep their fuel levels, engine settings and set-ups close to their chests. It is also unlikely that Red Bull’s single-lap pace advantage over their nearest pursuers is a full second at this stage of pre-season.

But what did still appear clear from the opening day was that the RB20 – the successor to last year’s all-conquering RB19, which won a record 21 races from 22 – has hit the ground running after a session in which Verstappen appeared increasingly comfortable on track.

The car had already proved the talk of the morning owing to confirmation, after clues at last week’s launch, that it did feature a new approach to the design of its sidepods and cooling inlets compared to Red Bull’s already-successful cars of the past two years.

Aston Martin also enjoyed a productive day with Lance Stroll (fifth) and Fernando Alonso (eighth) completing over 120 laps.

Mercedes’ George Russell, meanwhile, joined Verstappen in running all through the day and he racked up a healthy haul of 116 laps as the team assessed their overhauled new car, which includes a front-wing design which has sparked intrigue.

Most teams appeared to enjoy trouble-free running on Wednesday but Williams did experience issues with their new car.

A fuel-pump issue stopped Alex Albon on track during the morning before a suspected driveshaft problem curtailed Logan Sargeant’s programme in the afternoon. In between these two stoppages, Sergeant had a wild spin off.

Sky Sports F1’s pre-season testing schedule

Thursday February 22 – Day Two

• 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
• 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
• 8pm: Testing Wrap
• 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook

Friday February 23 – Day Three

• 6.50am-11.05am: Morning Session
• 11.55am-4.05pm: Afternoon Session
• 8pm: Testing Wrap
• 8.30pm: Ted’s Testing Notebook
• 9pm: Development Corner

When is the first F1 race?

Just one week after testing, the opening race of the 2024 season will begin with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29 to March 2.

Due to the Muslim holy period of Ramadan, the Bahrain and, seven days later, the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix, will be held on a Saturday.

This means practice one and two will take place on Thursdays, with final practice and qualifying on Fridays.

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Watch pre-season testing live and then every round of the new season, starting with the Bahrain Grand Prix from February 29-March 2. Stream every F1 race and more with a NOW Sports Month Membership