Red Bull RB19 "definitely an improvement" over 2022 F1 car - Verstappen
Max Verstappen says the new Red Bull RB19 Formula 1 car is an improvement on its predecessor and stressed that more performance is "in the pipeline".
The new car has looked comfortably fast from the start of testing on Thursday, and it has also run with few apparent issues, although Verstappen lost some track time on Friday.
PLUS: What watching trackside in Bahrain indicates about F1 2023
The world champion had the car to himself on Thursday and then shared it with Sergio Perez on Friday before the Mexican was its sole occupant on Saturday.
"I think the car is working really well," said Verstappen. "Just going through a lot of things that we wanted to try, and everything is very interesting, what we have been trying.
"So very positive days for me. And just in general enjoying driving the car."
Verstappen noted the car feels different to drive compared with the RB18.
"There are quite a few differences in the cars," he said. "So it definitely drives a bit different. I think that's also a bit related to the tyres. But overall, I think it's definitely an improvement from last year.
"The main issue we had last year is that the car was massively overweight. So, in the beginning, the car was just very lazy - it was not turning in, because the weight was also in the wrong place on the car.
Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing RB19
Photo by: Steven Tee / Motorsport Images
"And throughout the year we got rid of that, and you could see the performance of course was increasing a lot and it became more of a race car.
"And this year, just a continuation, but also things that we found and put on the car that were clearly better. And yeah, we already have things in the pipeline coming, and just work in progress. But we know what our limitations are - and we work around this."
Asked if he was confident heading into next weekend's opening race in Sakhir, he said: "It's not only about confidence, it's just about actually putting the performance down.
"I think we had really positive test days and we learned a lot, and hopefully we just start off the weekend well, and then we'll see where we end up."
Verstappen didn't want to be drawn on the potential pecking order, adding: "I don't know - it's difficult to say, I think that it's more important that we just focus on ourselves. We're happy with what we're doing."
Related video
Leclerc: 2023 Ferrari F1 car better on straights but slower in corners
Hamilton: New Mercedes retains "underlying things" from troubled 2022
Vowles admits Williams F1 car floor is "lacking detail"
Vowles admits Williams F1 car floor is "lacking detail" Vowles admits Williams F1 car floor is "lacking detail"
Hulkenberg: Haas has to switch focus from qualifying to race
Hulkenberg: Haas has to switch focus from qualifying to race Hulkenberg: Haas has to switch focus from qualifying to race
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise Why a Mercedes U-turn couldn't deny Sauber's F1 debut surprise
Red Bull: Marko's mobile phone moment shows Verstappen on "another level"
Red Bull: Marko's mobile phone moment shows Verstappen on "another level" Red Bull: Marko's mobile phone moment shows Verstappen on "another level"
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
How Verstappen's lost lap would have extended his Barcelona F1 dominance
How Verstappen's lost lap would have extended his Barcelona F1 dominance How Verstappen's lost lap would have extended his Barcelona F1 dominance
How Red Bull has taken inspiration from slower F1 rivals to go even faster
How Red Bull has taken inspiration from slower F1 rivals to go even faster How Red Bull has taken inspiration from slower F1 rivals to go even faster
Autosport Podcast: F1 Spanish GP review
Autosport Podcast: F1 Spanish GP review Autosport Podcast: F1 Spanish GP review
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
Magazine: F1 Spanish GP review
Magazine: F1 Spanish GP review Magazine: F1 Spanish GP review
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Cadillac's van der Zande fears rivals "built cars to suit Le Mans only"
Cadillac's van der Zande fears rivals "built cars to suit Le Mans only" Cadillac's van der Zande fears rivals "built cars to suit Le Mans only"
Vowles admits Williams F1 car floor is "lacking detail"
Vowles admits Williams F1 car floor is "lacking detail" Vowles admits Williams F1 car floor is "lacking detail"
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about Why the end of F1’s design divergence is nothing to be sad about
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations Why Mercedes may be wrong to be so cagey on new F1 expectations
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023? Is this F1's most underrated driver of 2023?
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023 Spanish Grand Prix Driver Ratings 2023
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked Why Verstappen's 2023 Spanish GP win wasn't as simple as it looked
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule How F1 teams manage the punishing reality of F1’s relentless schedule
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing The war reality that shines a light on the job Red Bull is doing
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14 How Mercedes' new F1 upgrades fared - and what's next for the revitalised W14
Subscribe and access Autosport.com with your ad-blocker.
From Formula 1 to MotoGP we report straight from the paddock because we love our sport, just like you. In order to keep delivering our expert journalism, our website uses advertising. Still, we want to give you the opportunity to enjoy an ad-free and tracker-free website and to continue using your adblocker.