Max Verstappen’s (Red Bull) RB18 has already impressed in pre-season testing

A radical silhouette

Upon leaving the box, the RB18 caught the eye of everyone who saw it. And took a good look at it. The reason ? Its silhouette, in profile, which presents a very aggressive cut at the level of the pontoons. The concept contrasts radically with that of the other teams which, however, have all had different approaches concerning the exploitation of this zone.

Something to worry about, and spread the idea that Red Bull has already approached the limits of the new regulations under the impetus of its technical director Adrian Newey, one of the greatest aerodynamic geniuses in the history of Formula 1.

For the time being, the tests carried out on the track have obviously given no indication of a possible advantage conferred by this approach or by other different concepts (suspensions in particular): Verstappen has only established the ninth fastest time, with “hard” tires, conceding 2.8 at the reference time established by Lando Norris, who himself had fitted “soft”.

Confident Hamilton

These days are still those of interrogations, bluffs… and little spy glances. Also intrigued by the single-seater which could still be his rival, Lewis Hamilton allowed himself a short stop in front of the Red Bull box as he strolled down the pit lane in fashionable attire. He did not, however, express the slightest apprehension about it.

“Why should I?he dropped to our colleagues from the BBC, when asked about a possible misreading of the regulations by Mercedes. “We won eight titles [constructeurs, NDLR] consecutive. Of course, the risk exists. But we don’t make mistakes. We have extremely competent people at the factory and I trust them 100%“The game has already started.