Red Bull's final pre-season test reveals speed and lingering technical hurdles
Red Bull Racing has concluded its final pre-season speed test in Bahrain, showcasing a blend of robust performance and persistent challenges. The team logged hundreds of laps, demonstrating reliability and speed, but still grapples with technical hurdles ahead of the Australian Grand Prix. Engineers and drivers remain concentrated as preparations persist.
Throughout the three-day speed test in Bahrain, the Red Bull RB22 completed 672 laps—the seventh-highest tally among teams. Its swiftest lap time of 1:33.109 positioned it fourth overall, trailing Ferrari, McLaren, and Mercedes. Nevertheless, the car exhibited consistent long-run pace and potent corner exits, despite minor setbacks like hydraulic leaks and coolant pressure issues.
The team prioritised track time, affording drivers ample running to fine-tune the new power unit. Race engineer Gianpiero Lambiase, who will remain with Red Bull through 2026, expressed contentment with the progress made. Team principal Laurent Mekies also shared an upbeat evaluation, underscoring the car's reliability and the team's capacity to gather valuable data.
Red Bull's Head of Racing echoed this optimism, acknowledging that while enhancements are still required, the foundation is solid. The focus now shifts to addressing the lingering technical issues before the season's first race.
The Bahrain speed test validated Red Bull's capability to cover substantial mileage while maintaining competitive lap times. The team's engineers will scrutinise the data to resolve remaining problems before heading to Australia. With robust reliability and a clear development trajectory, they aim to close the gap to the leading teams in the opening races.
