F1 News: Adrian Newey Warns Of "Improvements" To RB20 After Dominant Bahrain Campaign
In a stunning start to the Formula 1 season, Max Verstappen's victory in Bahrain left competitors trailing, a performance that even surprised Red Bull's Adrian Newey. Despite initial close competition, Verstappen's lead was undisputed, highlighting a promising future for him and his RB20.
Key Takeaways:
- Max Verstappen secured a Grand Slam at the Bahrain Grand Prix, significantly outpacing the field.
- Adrian Newey was taken aback by the RB20's performance, acknowledging the team's hard work but noting room for improvement.
- Newey hints at further enhancements to the RB20, aiming to extend Red Bull's competitive edge.
In a display of sheer dominance, Red Bull commenced the new Formula 1 season with a commanding victory at the Bahrain Grand Prix. Max Verstappen, the Dutch racing prodigy, not only clinched pole position but led every lap and registered the fastest lap, achieving a Grand Slam - the first time in twenty years this has happened on the opening race of the season.
This remarkable feat placed him a staggering 22 seconds ahead of his closest rival, Charles Leclerc, defying the expectations of many, including Red Bull’s Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey.
The pre-race sessions painted a picture of a tightly contested championship, with rivals seemingly narrowing the gap to Red Bull. However, the race unfolded differently, showcasing Red Bull's superiority. Sergio Perez, Verstappen's teammate, also delivered an impressive performance, fighting his way from fifth to secure second place, further underscoring the team's strength.
"I have to say it was unexpected," Newey confessed in a conversation with Viaplay. "The gap we had during practice - we were not completely happy with the car, but that all came right in the race."
Newey's reflections hint at a high performance ceiling.
"It's our whole team, the technical team, everyone behind the car. All the guys in Milton Keynes have worked tremendously hard to get it to this place and to deliver the performance we have," he continued.