F1 | Max Verstappen impressed by Red Bull RB22: Piquet Jr reveals insights
During the early pre-season tests in Barcelona, the Red Bull RB22 impressed Max Verstappen with its reliability and the progress made on the car. The first insights were shared by Nelson Piquet Jr., offering a unique glimpse behind the scenes of the Milton Keynes team as it prepares for the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Nelson Piquet Jr., former F1 driver and brother of Kelly Piquet, long-time partner of Verstappen, described how the Dutch driver was positively surprised by the initial development of the new Red Bull. The RB22 made its track debut at the end of January during the Barcelona tests, marking its first outing in 2026 specifications. Despite not being in perfect physical condition, Verstappen completed 145 laps, including the first ever run of Red Bull’s in-house designed power unit.
Piquet Jr.: “Max was surprised by how advanced they already were”
Speaking on the podcast Pelas Pistas, Nelson Piquet Jr. initially refrained from revealing details of the testing work, emphasizing that the pre-season phase remains shrouded in secrecy and uncertainty regarding the teams’ true performance. However, when pressed by co-host Christian Fittipaldi about Max Verstappen’s feedback, Piquet Jr. disclosed a key point: “He was surprised that people had already progressed so far with the new car,” he explained. “Max sometimes has a slightly pessimistic outlook, but in this case, he noted that they could have already completed 100 laps.”
No reference to relative performance
Piquet Jr. maintained discretion regarding any direct comparisons with other teams, highlighting the political dynamics that often accompany pre-season testing: “No, that can’t be determined yet,” he clarified. “Teams are still going slow to avoid political issues with the FIA. They are observing the teams that appear to have a big advantage.” According to the Brazilian, many teams deliberately mask their true potential during these sessions: “Many teams are taking their foot off the gas.”
Verstappen impressed by RB22’s reliability
Returning to Max Verstappen’s impressions, Piquet Jr. emphasized that the aspect that most impressed the Dutchman was the car’s reliability. “He was really surprised by the number of laps the car completed when it first left the garage on day one,” he revealed, underlining how the RB22’s consistent performance stood out during its first test sessions.
As the paddock transitions from the secretive shakedown in Spain to the official tests in Bahrain, these early reports of the RB22’s durability suggest that Red Bull has successfully cleared its first major hurdle of the 2026 era. While the true pecking order remains hidden behind “lift and coast” strategies and heavy fuel loads, Max Verstappen’s uncharacteristic optimism about the car’s state of readiness is a strong signal to his competitors. If the RB22 is already this reliable on its first outing, the development potential for the rest of the season could be formidable. The 2026 title defense appears to be starting on a very solid foundation.
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