Max Verstappen has expressed satisfaction with Red Bull’s RB21 during the initial phase of the 2025 Formula 1 season. Despite completing only four hours of pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, the Dutch driver formed a positive initial impression of the car he will use to defend his F1 drivers’ championship title.
As the 63-time Grand Prix winner aims for a fifth consecutive title—seeking to match Michael Schumacher’s record at Ferrari from 2000 to 2004—Verstappen is set to utilize the entire third and final day of testing to further adapt to the new Red Bull car. During these eight hours, he plans to assess how effectively the Milton Keynes team has addressed the issues that plagued their 2024 season, during which the six-time constructors’ champions fell to third place in the standings.
Reflecting on his initial session, Verstappen noted a favorable balance in the RB21. He commented to Viaplay, “During that half-day, I believe it was quite favorable regarding balance. It simply all came together more effectively through the corner, and that’s what we adjusted during the winter. That felt nice.”
Regarding the car’s speed, Verstappen remained cautious, stating, “When it comes to sheer speed, I’m not sure; it’s difficult to determine, and we’ll find out in Melbourne. However, I believe this is the correct path. We are currently working on achieving additional performance.”
He also highlighted improvements in handling, saying, “Up to this point, the car seems to handle slightly better in the corner. That’s everything I could hope for. Certainly, we need to seek out some performance, but I genuinely enjoyed driving the vehicle itself. That’s a great beginning.”
Despite his optimism, the 27-year-old remains aware that early positive feelings might not last. He acknowledged that while the RB21 feels enjoyable to drive, its true competitiveness will be revealed in race conditions. Verstappen emphasized that the car undergoes significant changes throughout the season, and external appearances can be deceiving.
When asked about analyzing competitors’ performances during pre-season testing, Verstappen dismissed the idea, stating, “No, there’s no reason to. You might estimate someone’s fuel level and engine setting, but I’m over that after a decade.” He remains focused on fine-tuning his own car ahead of the season opener in Australia.
As testing concludes, Red Bull will finalize their setup for the Australian Grand Prix. Verstappen aims to gather more data in his final session to inform the team’s adjustments. With the season approaching, he is determined to start strong in Melbourne as he embarks on his campaign for a fifth consecutive title.
