Jos Verstappen gives verdict on new Red Bull after F1 test surprise

There is a growing sense of optimism around Red Bull after a productive F1 pre-season testing, with Max Verstappen's father, Jos Verstappen, describing the early signs as "promising."

Following the biggest technical regulation overhaul in a generation, the spotlight has been firmly fixed on how teams would interpret the new rules.

For Red Bull, the challenge was even greater. The Milton Keynes-based squad not only had to design an all-new chassis in the form of the RB22, but also entered a new chapter with its in-house power unit project, operated under the Red Bull Powertrains banner in partnership with Ford.

Across both the Barcelona shakedown and the official test in Bahrain, Red Bull quietly impressed. Reliability — often a concern in the first year of sweeping rule changes — proved to be a strength, despite disruption to Isack Hadjar's running during the two official tests.

Crucially, the RB22 also appeared sharper than many had anticipated. While early expectations suggested Red Bull might need more time to unlock its full potential under the new rules, the car looked well-balanced from the outset.

Long-run pace was competitive and, at times, eye-catching. On certain fuel loads, the car appeared quicker than predicted — raising eyebrows in the paddock and hinting that Red Bull's understanding of the new aerodynamic regulations could be stronger than initially thought.

That underlying strength extended to the power unit. Despite this being RBPT and Ford's first season together, there were no visible signs of fragility. Straight-line speed looked healthy, deployment was consistent, and the unit appeared both powerful and dependable.

Max Verstappen himself completed a substantial number of laps with minimal interruption, giving the team valuable data ahead of the season opener. The overall impression was of a package that is not only quick, but fundamentally sound — a solid platform from which further performance can be extracted.

Jos Verstappen, speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, struck a cautiously optimistic tone when asked about the competitive order.

"You never really know," he said. "Of course, you never see what is truly behind the tests, but I have to say I am satisfied with what is happening.

"Especially when we look at the engine. It is powerful and reliable. During the first race, we will see where it really stands."

Indeed, while Red Bull may not have definitively shown its full hand, the early indications suggest the RB22 is stronger than anticipated — both aerodynamically and mechanically.

"We are satisfied," the former F1 driver added. "A few small issues, but that is normal. There are always adjustments to be made, but for the moment, it is working excellently. It is doing a lot of mileage, so that is promising."