Teammate Sergio Pérez will be in action all day on Thursday at the Bahrain International Circuit, as is the intention at Red Bull Racing. Verstappen will be in action all Friday. During the first three days of testing in Barcelona it was the other way around. Both drivers are then both active for half a day on Saturday.
The Formula 1 season starts a week later, also in Bahrain, where the first Grand Prix will be held on March 20. It is clear that top teams such as Red Bull and also Mercedes are bringing a large package of updates for the brand new cars. Ferrari made the most kilometers during the test days in Barcelona, followed by Mercedes, McLaren and Red Bull.
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A big difference compared to those Spanish test days is that Haas has said goodbye to Russian driver Nikita Mazepin. Reserve and test driver Pietro Fittipaldi will replace him in Bahrain. Whether the grandson of two-time world champion Emerson will also become the definitive replacement for Mazepin is still open to question. Haas may opt for the more experienced Antonio Giovinazzi.