The final pre-season test is complete in Bahrain and Red Bull has found itself in a solid position ahead of the first race weekend of the F1 season. Out of the 20 teams, Red Bull has shown the most significant amount of improvement throughout the three-day testing period in Bahrain.

From P10 on Day one to P3 on Day 2 and then completing the fastest lap on Day 3, it appears that Red Bull has made the proper adjustments to their RB18 challenger and they have taken valid steps in the right direction in terms of innovation and technology under the new regulations. However, it will be a matter of time before we will see the true potential of the RB18 and its competitive side stacked against the other teams throughout the season during practices, qualifying sessions, and races.             

After the final session of testing in Bahrain, Verstappen discussed with formula1.com how Day 3 unfolded on track for the Red Bull team.  

The Dutch driver vocalized that Red Bull was holding back during the testing sessions and he believes that the other teams have followed the same plan during their time in Bahrain. 

“Nobody is [giving it] full beans in qualifying-spec at the moment,” he asserted on Saturday night.

“Of course [the car is] better in low fuel and actually on the high fuel the car… doesn’t really do a lot, but it’s the same for everyone,” he said. 

Verstappen expressed how he had a positive feel with the car and stated that the team’s main focus on the final day of testing was centered on the different tyres that will be used during the first race weekend.  

“It was just a general progression of the day and we were just trying a few different tyres. But I think the main focus was about the tyres, [which] we’re going to use next week. But the car was feeling alright, and we went through our programme which we planned to do, and that’s always positive. 

The 2021 World Champion also explained how much of a difference exists between the Barcelona track where the F1 teams tested earlier this year compared to the layout of the Bahrain circuit. Verstappen also revealed how valuable the Barcelona testing sessions were for the team's progression and overall developments to the RB18 in Bahrain.        

“You know, compared to Barcelona I think more of it is just the track – the rough surface, warmer conditions, and the layout of the track makes it a completely different feeling compared to Barcelona. But yes, of course I think we learned a lot more about the cars, so we made the car faster, and I think that’s what you want.”

The new parts that the Red Bull team used on the last day of pre-season testing were a crucial game-changer and Verstappen hopes that the latest advancements the team added to the RB18 will carry on to the season-opening race.  

“I think with the new parts, which arrived today, they also worked well, which you always hope for. They worked, so then hopefully we’ll keep them on [for the opening race].”