First impression of new Red Bull F1 engine: “Not perfect yet, but fine”
Both Red Bull teams have completed a productive first day of the F1 shakedown in Barcelona. With the all-new power unit, Liam Lawson completed 88 laps while Isack Hadjar circulated 107 times
Liam Lawson, Racing Bulls
The first serious test for Red Bull Ford Powertrains – following an earlier filming day for Racing Bulls at Imola – has gone largely according to plan. Liam Lawson caused a red flag at the start of the lunch break, but still completed 88 laps in his Racing Bulls.
Max Verstappen was not behind the wheel on Monday, but saw his team-mate Isack Hadjar lap the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya 107 times. With a 1m18.159s, the French driver was also fastest of the day, although lap times carry little significance at this stage of pre-season testing.
“It was pretty productive. Surprisingly we managed to do a lot more laps than expected. Everything went quite smoothly. We only had minor issues, so it’s quite impressive considering this was our first day with our own engine,” the Red Bull driver concluded after his first day in the RB22.
Ford Performance director Mark Rushbrook previously told Motorsport.com reporters that the final phase of the engine development mainly focussed on drivability. In that respect, Hadjar is cautiously optimistic after his first runs as well.
“Honestly, it was pretty decent for a first day. It doesn’t feel too far off from what I’m used to based on my first season. All the upshifts and downshifts were okay. There are still a few things to tweak, of course, but it has been solid.”
Lawson stoppage was “mainly precautionary”
Isack Hadjar, Red Bull
Photo by: Formula 1
Engine to be “fine-tuned” before Melbourne
Photo by: Formula 1
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