- Defending champion impressive during final testing
- Mercedes and Ferrari face challenge to match Red Bull
When the lights go out next week in Bahrain to open the new Formula One season the challenge for most of the grid is likely to feel familiar: catch Max Verstappen and Red Bull. The world champion goes into the campaign brimming with confidence, while Mercedes and Ferrari must up their game to bring a highly desired three-way fight.
With the phoney war of testing at the Sakhir circuit coming to a close on Saturday, Verstappen and Red Bull concluded the three days with a quiet ease that reflects a team and driver enjoying the assurance that comes with aquick car running with metronomic efficiency.