The bitter truth on the first day of testing in Bahrain: Verstappen from another planet – but McLaren attacks

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At no other team is progress as clearly visible as at McLaren-Mercedes, the second oldest GP team (946 races, 183 victories). Even though the last success dates back to 2021 in Monza (Ricciardo). And the penultimate was achieved in Brazil (Button) in 2012.

Superduo wants to irritate Max

The secret favorite is slowly creeping to the top alongside Mercedes and Ferrari: with the super couple Oscar Piastri (22) and Wednesday’s second place, Lando Norris (24).

The team has done everything right in recent months and linked the diamond duo until the end of 2026. And now the hotel contract with the “Hilton” (since 2005) has been extended for many more years. And almost silently and secretly, Coca-Cola is also there.

Verstappen drove 773 kilometers

Of course, no one can beat Verstappen, who completed 143 laps or 773 kilometers, if the Dutchman remains healthy. Two hours before the end of the test, he smashed Norris’s best time by 0.822 seconds. And at dusk it was even 1,140 seconds.

A madness. Verstappen could only dominate in 2023 because Ferrari (only one win, Singapore) and Mercedes (even winless) were helpless against Milton Keynes’ monster car. And in their shadow, McLaren-Mercedes crept closer and closer after a poor start to the season.

Horner in civilian clothes

However, the greatest interest remains with Red Bull team boss Christian Horner (50). The Briton, caught in the crossfire of speculation, appeared at the circuit in civilian clothes. Unlike all other team leaders.

The PS show should not be allowed to be disrupted by such an embarrassing incident. Once the investigation into inappropriate conduct has been completed, a decision should be made public as soon as possible. In the interest of the sport.

Only four teams on super soft

For the three sunny test days, each team was allowed to order 35 sets of rubber from Pirelli. What’s interesting is that only Mercedes, Ferrari, Williams and Kick-Sauber each chose two sets of the C5 compound (super soft)! Fast laps are probably planned for a short time.

Only McLaren and Alpine do it without the C4 tires (soft) in addition to the C5. The emphasis is clearly on tests and not on board time. C3 tires (medium) were ordered most often. Mercedes receives 25 penalties, of which Kick-Sauber demands the least (16).

Ocon in the gravel bed – Hare in misery

The first day of testing can be quickly recounted: the “highlight” was the departure of a gravel bed at Ocon. Most teams made their first attempts at distance (long runs), with Verstappen almost driving laps around the competition.

Red Bull was the only team besides Mercedes that had only one driver. Pérez and Hamilton, who will no longer be in the team in 2025, can participate for the first time on Thursday.

Shovel clean, still pale

For the Hinwil team, Finn Valtteri Bottas (34) completed 68 laps during the lunch break. Only Alonso (77) stayed a little longer on the desert highway.

In the afternoon, Chinese Zhou only completed 62 laps, but was faster than his teammate. However, comparisons should be made with caution due to tire choice and fuel quantity.

Guru Newey: “I had to respond!”

The top speed, on the other hand, is real: Verstappen raced through the radar zone with Honda power at 324 km/h. Eight kilometers faster than the rivals. There is also the improvement of the RB20. While the opponents once again shamelessly copied the old Red Bull, genius Adrian Newey (65, more than 200 GP victories) is already one step ahead: “I knew I had to react. Otherwise the others would have overtaken us!”

Source : Blick