Formula 1 pre-season testing kicked off in Barcelona, featuring notable performances from several teams, particularly Red Bull. Isack Hadjar, the rookie driver for Red Bull, expressed surprise at the efficiency and competitiveness of their first day with a new engine.
Hadjar Tops the Timesheet
Hadjar finished the day with a lap time of 1:18.159 seconds, placing him over half a second ahead of Mercedes driver George Russell. His impressive performance was complemented by accumulating 107 laps, while teammate Liam Lawson added 88 laps to the tally.
Positive Feedback on Engine Performance
Hadjar described the day as surprisingly productive, stating, “Everything went pretty smooth.” He mentioned only minor issues, highlighting the efficiency of their new engine. Hadjar reflected on the driving experience, noting, “It feels decent for our first day,” and acknowledged the need for minor adjustments.
Mercedes Shows Strong Preparation
Mercedes also demonstrated solid preparation during testing. Russell, who was part of a combined total of 149 laps with teammate Kimi Antonelli, praised the performance of Red Bull’s new power unit.
Overall Impressions from Testing
Russell acknowledged the competitive nature of the testing, stating, “I was pretty impressed with a number of other teams.” He noted that the level of preparedness has significantly evolved since 2014, a year marked by widespread technical difficulties during initial tests. He emphasized that this year saw most teams accumulating substantial laps without major issues.
Notable Performances from Other Teams
- Audi showcased a strong performance with consistent lap times.
- Haas finished with the highest number of laps driven, utilizing a Ferrari engine.
- Both Antonelli and Russell shared positive assessments of their Mercedes W17 cars.
Looking Ahead
As pre-season testing continues, teams are focused on refining their setups and addressing any issues. The successful first day has raised expectations for the upcoming season, with teams eager to build on their performances in Barcelona.
