Oracle Red Bull Racing Bahrain test day 2 review, quotes 24.02.2023: Aramco Bahrain pre-season test Sakhir, Bahrain, day 2 Friday, February 24th 2023 SERGIO PEREZ Laps: 76 Best Time: 1:33.751 “I was happy to be back behind the wheel of the RB19 this morning. We mainly focussed on the long run, to make sure

Aramco Bahrain pre-season test
Sakhir, Bahrain, day 2
Friday, February 24th 2023

SERGIO PEREZ
Laps: 76
Best Time: 1:33.751


“I was happy to be back behind the wheel of the RB19 this morning. We mainly focussed on the long run, to make sure the car was reliable and that was the main priority. The car feels good, we have a good pace and hopefully we can get some good fine tuning in on Saturday.


There are little differences to the RB18, which are mainly dictated by the change to the tyres but generally speaking it is pretty similar. I am happy in the car and I think we are in a good place. Now I am looking forward to getting a full day in the car tomorrow. We will do some good simulations for the race and try to prepare as much as possible for qualifying too.”



MAX VERSTAPPEN
Laps: 47
Best Time: 1:31.650


“Today we focussed on the smaller details and took little steps. Again, the car was responding well to everything we did. We learnt a lot for next weekend and of course for future races as well. I’m very pleased with the testing period, every time I jumped in the car I felt comfortable and could push instantly.


A massive credit to everyone back at the factory, working throughout the whole of winter and even last year to prepare the car we have now. To see it on track and how it behaves on track is great. We’ll have to see how quick we will be next week but I’m feeling positive.”




“This morning’s session with Checo was productive with some solid mileage accumulation. Checo settled in to the RB19 nicely with positive feedback.



His focus was on stabilised running, signing off multiple critical procedural and systems checks. He has a strong platform from which to build upon tomorrow for a full day in the car. This afternoon we had a small teething issue, which whilst minor, cost us some track time.



This is why we come testing, to avoid these problems when it counts. It will be a fairly packed program tomorrow to ensure we come away with all of the data we need, but from Max’s short outings today, we know we are honing in on a package ahead of the race. His 1.5 days have gone in a flash, but he is comfortable in the car and will be ready for battle.”




GIANPIERO LAMBIASE, Head of Race Engineering





Paul Smith, photos Red Bull