MILTON KEYNES, ENGLAND - JANUARY 26: Max Verstappen of Netherlands and Red Bull Racing and Sergio Perez of Mexico and Red Bull Racing talk on stage during the Red Bull Racing RB18 launch at Red Bull Racing Factory on January 26, 2022 in Milton Keynes, England. (Photo by Bryn Lennon/Getty Images)
Formula One World Champion Max Verstappen is very positive about his team’s new RB18 car
Max Verstappen is going into the 2022 Formula One World Championship as the reigning champion – a feeling that he definitely relishes. Verstappen and his Red Bull team made a solid start to pre-season in Barcelona. However, there is room for improvement. Mercedes, Ferrari and McLaren have all looked in wonderful shape and Red Bull have a real challenge on their hands. Verstappen finished Barcelona test running as fifth overall in mileage stakes while Red Bull ranked fourth.
Verstappen gave an assessment of how he thinks the pre-season test went for him and his team. The World Champion said, “The car was running smooth, I was happy with the balance – but Bahrain is going to be completely different, so heading into race one, the car will be completely different as well.” He added, “So for me, I just focussed on doing a lot of laps and try to really nail down every single aspect of the car.” The 24-year was particularly impressed with his new RB18 car.” The car runs really well. In general, the weight is a bit up but I really enjoy driving the car. It has a nice stable balance and I think they look cool as well – that’s always nice to jump into”, said Verstappen.
The RB18 has been built to F1’s overhauled technical regulations for 2022. It replaces the RB16B, Verstappen’s championship winning car. The striking new features in RB18 are larger wheels, low-profile tyres and swept wings. The car is heavier compared to previous versions, which is a common feature among all F1 2022 cars.
RB18 will be powered by an updated version of the Honda engine which was used last season. The V6 turbo hybrid has been renamed as the ‘Red Bull Powertrains’ after Honda’s departure from F1.
Red Bull will fancy their chances this season. They have two amazing drivers in Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez. The team finished the 2021 championship in second place in the Constructors’ Championship. Red Bull are definitely in with a chance to better it this season and go the distance.
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