Max Verstappen looked like a reigning champion on a mission on Saturday, as with less than an hour to go of the three-day Official Pre-Season Test on Bahrain, the Dutchman wound up his Red Bull RB18 and clocked the fastest time of anyone in Sakhir.
Verstappen’s eventual lap of 1m 31.720s was a full 0.695s quicker than the next best effort, that of Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc. Yes, it’s only testing – but it was still a fairly major shot across the bows of his rivals nonetheless.
READ MORE: Verstappen sets blistering benchmark to go top on final day of 2022 pre-season testing
Watch up top as Verstappen guides the #1-emblazoned Red Bull around the fastest lap of Bahrain pre-season testing.
Next Up
Related Articles
EXPLAINED: The key terms for F1’s new-for-2026 rules
Everything you need to know about F1's new rules for 2026
Formula 1 to return to Portugal in 2027 and 2028
Getting to know the real Esteban Ocon
‘I hated this car at times’ – Verstappen on his 2025 season
Piastri 'will be a world champion' in future – Norris