Max Verstappen concluded the first day of Formula 1 testing in 2024.
Mercedes driver George Russell has admitted Red Bull appear to be in a league of their own once again after Max Verstappen’s ominous display on Day 1 of Formula 1 Testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.
Verstappen was over a second quicker than his closest challenger Lando Norris as the Dutchman clocked 143 laps in Adrian Newey’s revolutionary RB20, with a fastest time of 1:31.344.
Red Bull dominated the 2023 with 21 wins out of a possible 22, with Verstappen winning 19 of them, to obliterate records that never looked like being broken.
But Red Bull’s perceived advantage, even at a stage when lap times are not viewed as being important in testing, could see them move further clear into the distance.
Asked about Verstappen’s performance on Day 1, Russell conceded the constructors’ champions are already “a step ahead” of the rest of the field, having been left impressed by their work during the winter break.
“I think probably as you’d expect from from Red Bull, they have such a great momentum at the moment,” Russell said. “They started this these new regulations on the front foot, and they came here have been solid ever since.”