Jos Verstappen calls early Red Bull F1 test signs 'promising'

Red Bull has emerged from Formula 1's pre-season testing with a quietly optimistic outlook, as Max Verstappen's father and former F1 driver Jos described the early performance of the new RB22 and its first in-house power unit as "promising." Despite the dual challenge of designing an all-new car under sweeping regulations and debuting the Red Bull Powertrains (RBPT) engine developed with Ford, the team demonstrated strong reliability and a competitive long-run pace that exceeded many paddock expectations.

Why it matters:

After years of relying on customer power units from Honda (and previously Renault), Red Bull's successful transition to producing its own engine is critical for its long-term championship ambitions. A reliable and powerful first showing for the RBPT-Ford partnership suggests the team may have navigated the biggest technical hurdle of the new era effectively, positioning them to potentially avoid the performance drop many predicted during this transitional phase.

The details:

• The RB22 appeared well-balanced and sharp from the outset during tests in Barcelona and Bahrain, contradicting early speculation that Red Bull might need time to unlock its potential under the new aerodynamic rules.
• Reliability Strength: The car completed a substantial number of laps with minimal major issues, a notable achievement given the complexity of the new regulations and the debut of an all-new power unit.
  • Max Verstappen's consistent running provided the team with valuable data heading into the season opener.
• Power Unit Performance: The new RBPT-Ford engine showed no visible signs of fragility. Early observations noted healthy straight-line speed, consistent energy deployment, and an overall impression of a dependable unit.
• Jos Verstappen, speaking to Belgian broadcaster RTBF, offered a cautiously positive verdict: "You never really know... but I have to say I am satisfied with what is happening. Especially when we look at the engine. It is powerful and reliable."

What's next:

The true competitive order will only be revealed at the Bahrain Grand Prix, where fuel loads and engine modes are fully revealed.

• Jos Verstappen emphasized that the first race is the real test, stating, "During the first race, we will see where it really stands."
• If the testing promise translates into race-day performance, Red Bull could start the new regulatory cycle on a strong footing, challenging the assumption that they would need a season to fully develop their new car and engine package.