Mercedes and Red Bull diverge on tire strategy as Verstappen sits out first day of Bahrain test

Max Verstappen will not drive on the opening day of the second and final pre-season test in Bahrain, with Red Bull junior Isack Hadjar taking over the RB22 for both sessions. Meanwhile, Mercedes and Red Bull have adopted contrasting tire strategies for the week, and Red Bull team boss Laurent Mekies is set to return to the track after missing the first test due to minor surgery.

Why it matters:

The final test before the season opener is a critical last chance for teams to validate their cars and strategies under race weekend conditions. Verstappen's absence on Day 1, while planned, shifts focus to the team's junior driver program and data-gathering. The differing tire compound choices between the top teams signal their distinct priorities for this crucial session, offering an early glimpse into their strategic thinking for the opening races.

The details:

• Driver Lineup: Red Bull has confirmed that Isack Hadjar, a junior driver for the team, will complete all running in the RB22 on the first day of the test. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen will take over the car starting on Thursday.
• Team Leadership: Red Bull team principal Laurent Mekies, who was absent from the first Bahrain test last week following a minor medical procedure, is confirmed to be returning trackside for this second test.
• Tire Strategy Split: For this test, where all five dry Pirelli compounds are available, Mercedes and Red Bull have chosen different paths.
  • Mercedes will focus on the three hardest tire compounds (C1, C2, C3), mirroring their approach from the first test.
  • Red Bull has opted to include two sets of the softer C4 compound in their allocation, deviating from Mercedes' harder-focused strategy.
• Calendar News: In separate news, the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya has officially secured a contract extension to remain on the F1 calendar. It will host races in 2028, 2030, and 2032, rotating in those years with the Belgian Grand Prix at Spa-Francorchamps.

What's next:

All eyes will be on the track as teams complete their final preparations. The performance and reliability data gathered over these three days will be instrumental in forming the pecking order predictions for the Bahrain Grand Prix in just over a week. Verstappen's return to the cockpit on Thursday will be a key moment to assess Red Bull's progress, while the tire strategies will begin to reveal which team feels more confident in their car's race pace and degradation management.