Max Verstappen claims non-conservative Red Bull ‘pushed the limits’ with RB20 design

Max Verstappen praised Red Bull Formula 1 for introducing a radical concept with the new RB20.

Max Verstappen claims non-conservative Red Bull ‘pushed the limits’ with RB20 design

Christian Horner and Max Verstappen (via IMAGO). Red Bull RB-20 (Via @PaulBridgen/X)

Red Bull’s Max Verstappen was first on the leaderboard after the first day of pre-season testing in Bahrain. It was the first time since the launch of RB20, the Dutchman had driven the car and he was more than impressed by the car Adrian Newey has radically redesigned. Even though Verstappen was shown the 2024 car concept last year, he had remained largely oblivious to the concept.

Verstappen was surprised but not shocked by Red Bull’s decision to alter the whole car design, despite having the most dominant car in the sports’ history in 2024. He has full trust in his team that doesn’t play by the conservative rules of the sport and asserts that his team has pushed the limits while producing the car.

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In the end, it doesn't matter what the car looks like either. But what I do like a lot about the team is that they haven't been conservative and that they have pushed the limits again by changing the concept. I fully trust what the people in our technical team are doing, They are confident that this is better than everything else that they have tested in the wind tunnel over the winter. As long as it works, I don't even care what the car looks like.
Max Verstappen said, as reported by motorsport.com.

Red Bull decided to change the car because they were afraid of other teams getting too close by following RB19. Verstappen acknowledged the same and pointed out that they were aware of this already. He believes that their technical team sees more potential in the car’s current appearance and development direction compared to what they had last year.

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Max Verstappen has set a new pre-season speed record

On the first day of testing for his 2024 campaign at Bahrain International Circuit, reigning Formula One champion Max Verstappen topped the charts. Every team unveiled their 2024 opponents, with Red Bull introducing some notable changes.

Max Verstappen driving the RB-20 in pre-season testing
Max Verstappen driving the RB-20 in pre-season testing (Via IMAGO)

With 143 laps completed, Verstappen achieved the highest mileage of any driver and took the lead with a time of 1:31.344 seconds, 1.1 seconds quicker than his closest competitor, Lando Norris. Almost three-tenths faster than his 2023 F1 preseason testing time, the Red Bull driver has topped the F1 charts with lap times of 1:32.548 in the morning session and 1:31.344 in the second.

McLaren ace Lando Norris placed second on the list but was more than a second behind the reigning champion’s fastest lap time. Carlos Sainz Jr. also dropped a quick lap time in the SF-24. Verstappen’s time on the lap is nearly two seconds slower than his Bahrain Grand Prix qualifying time from the previous year.

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