Max Verstappen was ninth fastest on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. However, he clocked 147 laps with the RBR-18.
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Defending Formula 1 world champion Max Verstappen said he was happy with how Red Bull Racing started their F1 pre-season preparation for 2022.
Verstappen was ninth fastest on the first day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. However, he clocked a massive 147 laps with the new-look RBR-18 – more than any other driver on Wednesday.
Pre-season is less about the time sheets and more about data collection. As such, Verstappen and Red Bull will be happy that the car got as much track time as it did.
What’s more, this was the first time fans got to see Red Bull’s car for the season in the flesh. Their car launch was more about revealing the livery and their new title sponsorship.
Day 1 in Barcelona ✔️ 147 laps with a fastest time of 1:22.246 for @Max33Verstappen ? #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/ses5Wb9sdO
— Oracle Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 23, 2022
The new car has a completely different look and Verstappen himself said as much, while acknowledging that speed matters more than the aesthetic.
“Oh yes, it’s completely different, but I think it looks good. But at the end of the day, what’s the most important is that it’s fast, so that’s what we’re trying to see,” he said afterwards.
Also read: Lando Norris downplays expectations after topping charts on Day 1 of pre-season testing
“Everything was working quite well today so it’s a good start and yes, of course then I will look into what we can do tomorrow.
“Of course, Checo (Sergio Perez) is driving tomorrow; but it’s just about doing a lot of laps and just getting a bit of mileage on all the parts to see if everything is holding up.”
Perez, who spent the day watching from the pitwall and will take to the track on Day 2 of testing, said he was excited with the ‘positive start’ made by Verstappen.
He also said he hoped his experience would give him a leg-up with these new cars. This is despite he fact they are very different from the previous generation of cars.
“It really feels like things are about to start. So yes, looking forward massively to it and I really hope we are able to have strong outings. And I think the development race, it’s the main priority for us,” said Perez.
Also read: Mick Schumacher has ‘high hopes and expectations’ from Haas in 2022
“In a way, we all start from zero and we all have to adapt… I really hope that the experience I have can help me and I can put my hopes into this year.
“It’s been a positive start. We’ve got a lot of work ahead of us to still figure out a lot of things and just waiting and seeing where we are.”
