Max Verstappen is looking forward to the new season in Formula 1. The three-time and reigning world champion will, like his competitors, start three days of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on Wednesday. “I think this can be a very competitive car and it is now up to us to get the most out of it,” says the 26-year-old Red Bull driver.
Verstappen's team presented the RB20 last week, a car that should be an improved version of the car in which the Dutchman dominated the field last year with nineteen victories. Verstappen noted that the competition looked closely at Red Bull's car and copied elements.
Mercedes and Ferrari have significantly adjusted their design, but Red Bull has also made aerodynamic changes. The big question is whether the competition has succeeded in building a car that can threaten Verstappen next year.
“The wait between now and the last race in Abu Dhabi has been quite long,” says Verstappen. “I have enjoyed the pre-season and tried to spend as much time as possible at home and prepare for the coming season. It was great to see the car in full swing at Silverstone and you can see that the look of the car is very different this year. Despite the rain, the RB20 felt good to drive, which was the main goal. It will obviously be difficult to repeat the year we had in 2023, but every year we always try to build on the knowledge we have gained.”
Verstappen's nineteen competitors will also have the opportunity to try out their new cars in Bahrain on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. The first race of the new season will also take place there on March 2.