Formula 1: Max Verstappen’s Lap Time at the Preseason Testing in Bahrain Sparks Fans Reactions

• The commencement of the 2024 Formula 1 season is on the horizon
• Pre-season testing is well underway at the Bahrain international circuit
• Max Verstappen has recorded the fastest lap time so far of any driver

The 2024 Formula 1 pre-season testing kicked off on February 21 at the prestigious Bahrain International Circuit.

Anticipation for the upcoming season, which is set to be the longest in the sport's history, has continued to herald the scenes as teams unveiled their latest cars, all eyeing a chance to dethrone Red Bull Racing.

The Austrian F1 team had dominated the grid in 2023, clinching victory in 22 out of 23 races, with the lone exception being the Singapore Grand Prix, where technical mishaps cost them the win.

Despite the optimism from various teams and drivers, Max Verstappen and Red Bull made a remarkable statement on the opening day of testing, clocking an astonishing time of 1:32.548, seven-tenths ahead of the nearest challenger, Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso.

Formula 1: Helmut Marko discusses the Potential of Verstappen Lewis replacing Hamilton at Mercedes

Formula 1

To put Verstappen's performance into perspective, according to data courtesy of Formula Racers, the fastest time recorded in 2023 was 1:32.837, which is three-tenths slower than the Dutch driver's current time.

This seemingly unimaginable pace available to the RB20 car has since sparked a flurry of reactions among F1 fans, with many predicting an outright dominance for the Austrian constructor.

Fan's reaction to Verstappen lap times

@SICKYDOESMMA, seemingly awestruck by Verstappen's performance, remarked,

"See you in 2025, boys!"

@WicketWhisper, acknowledging the RB20's dominance, pondered,

"The big question now is if Max will win all the races. 😉"

@LPavardinho succinctly stated,

"It's over already."

@Daveydelphia76 added,

"Max starts seven-tenths faster than anyone else? See you in 2025, everyone!"

@MuhindaOwen, showing admiration for Verstappen, wrote,

"Let Max cook."

These remarkable lap times by Verstappen and Red Bull once again showcase the outstanding work of the team's Chief Technical Officer, Adrian Newey. The Austrian team are now the odds-on favourite to win the 2024 Constructors' Championship.

Nigeria vs South Africa: Bafana's Ronwen Williams Defiant of Stats Ahead of AFCON 2023 Semi-final

Football

Perez outlines 2024 ambition

Sports Brief in another report stated Red Bull Racing’s driver, Sergio Perez, has stated his ambition for the 2024 F1 season.

The Mexican, who finished second behind Verstappen in the 2023 drivers' standings, aims to put every woe he encountered in the previous season behind him. Perez is in the final year of his contract with the team and looks forward to recording another stellar season.