Bahrain F1 test analysis: Red Bull sets the pace and impresses rivals. Red Bull impressed during the first three days of F1 testing in Bahrain.

Red Bull has continued to amaze even after the first three days of F1 testing in Bahrain. After showing promising signs at Montmeló, the new RB22 has proven to be truly competitive under the spotlight. What stands out most is the work done on the engine, which allowed the team to complete an impressive 343 laps here at Sakhir.

Despite this, Red Bull faced a setback on the morning of the second day, when Isack Hadjar was unable to drive due to a technical issue. Beyond that, the Milton Keynes team displayed excellent reliability and strong pace. Some analysts now consider Red Bull the benchmark in the current field.

Clear superiority

The words of Toto Wolff and George Russell were clear: for them, Red Bull has become the reference point. In particular, the engine has impressed. Both Mercedes figures noted that the power unit delivers outstanding speed, allowing the car to gain nearly a second just on the straights. It’s remarkable to think that, for the first time this year, the engines are fully produced in-house in partnership with Ford.

Beyond the engine, the overall performance is equally convincing. Four-time world champion Max Verstappen already seems comfortable in the highly-discussed new car, while Hadjar has also shown strong results. Setting aside outright lap times, the RB22 demonstrated excellent consistency and pace during long runs, giving engineers valuable data on race performance.

Pressure off, but potential high

Technical director Pierre Wache sought to ease expectations, stating that for now Red Bull is still behind its direct rivals – namely Mercedes, McLaren, and Ferrari. Yet from the outside, the mood is different. With Max Verstappen behind the wheel, the RB22 shows every sign of being a leading contender in the 2026 championship. The first three days of F1 testing in Bahrain have certainly smiled on Red Bull.

Red Bull’s transition from a customer engine user to a full-scale manufacturer appears to be ahead of schedule, with the RB22 showing the kind of straight-line efficiency that defined their previous eras of dominance. While Pierre Waché plays the underdog card, the data from Sakhir suggests that Max Verstappen has been handed another weapon capable of fighting for the top step of the podium from race one.