Verstappen and Red Bull face huge challenge after F1 testing concerns

Max Verstappen and Red Bull face a huge challenge ahead of the Australian Grand Prix, following several concerns during F1 pre-season testing.

Whilst the teams are not concerned on ultimate lap time, completing its planned programme is a priority. For Red Bull, its running was met with several setbacks, both on Thursday and Friday. 

On Thursday, Liam Lawson spent time in the garage due to a loss of engine water pressure, whilst Verstappen lost time on Friday due to an oil leak.

As a result, Red Bull finished bottom of the laps completed chart across the test. Just 304 laps were managed by the Austrian outfit, 154 fewer than Mercedes who topped the lap counter. 

The Milton Keynes-based team now has just under two weeks to solve its issues before first practice at Albert Park. 

It is up against it, with McLaren having looked impeccable at the Bahrain International Circuit.

McLaren v Red Bull

McLaren looked incredible throughout the test, with Lando Norris having grabbed the headlines on Thursday afternoon following a remarkable long run. 

Norris' Thursday afternoon race simulation was by far the strongest on the grid, with the Woking-based outfit appearing to have the initial advantage going into the season. 

The argument that McLaren is the team to beat is further supported by onboard footage of Norris and Oscar Piastri, as well as available data. 

McLaren's 2025 car – the MCL39 – looked stable and at times on rails in the hands of both drivers at top speed but also through corners. 

Norris did venture off the circuit a few times on Friday morning, although several drivers, including Verstappen who spun, where caught out by high winds. 

Red Bull clearly has some catching up to do before F1 heads to Australia, something Verstappen confirmed. 

"I think we had a decent day,” Verstappen said. "We had a few little problems, but overall we completed quite a bit of what we tried to do. I think it was not bad, but at the same time there is still work to do.

"It was what I kind of expected, we just keep on working and trying to improve. Hopefully we will be ready for Melbourne, learn a bit more, and see where we are at.

"I do not expect us to be the fastest at all, but at the same time it is very difficult to tell where everyone’s pace is. There is some work to do for us."

Favorites

Following the conclusion of pre-season testing, it is clear that Red Bull is not the favourite going into the season. 

McLaren have the edge over its rivals, but Mercedes also showed promise in the hands of George Russell and Kimi Antonelli. 

The cooler temperatures in Bahrain might have played to Mercedes' advantage, although that theory will only be answered once running in hotter conditions is completed. 

Ferrari are another team with some question marks around it, having struggled on the long runs compared to McLaren. 

Ultimately, the true pecking order will be discovered in the Australian GP!