During the opening session of the 2025 F1 pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit, Red Bull newbie, Liam Lawson, experienced a mixed session, balancing a seemingly promising pace with a moment of instability.
The young New Zealander, stepping into the RB21 alongside four-time world champion Max Verstappen, showed flashes of strong performance but also highlighted some of the challenges Red Bull may face this season.
A hairy moment at a tricky track
Lawson’s spin occurred in one of the lower-speed sections of the circuit after clipping the kerb at the apex, with the rear axle appearing to destabilise even before he fully traversed it at turns 2 and 3.
This suggests a potential ride issue, further emphasising that the RB21 – like its predecessors – is a car that demands precision from its drivers. However, despite this setback, Lawson quickly recovered and returned to the session without damage.
Bahrain International Circuit is a particularly revealing venue for pre-season testing. Its mix of long straights, heavy braking zones, and technical low-speed corners provides a comprehensive assessment of car performance, particularly in traction and braking stability. The surface is also known to be abrasive, adding an extra layer of tire management considerations for teams.
Adding to the challenge, the weather conditions in Bahrain were notably cooler than usual, affecting tire warm-up and grip levels, particularly in the morning session. This may have played a role in some of the instability Lawson experienced, as Red Bull’s RB21 appeared to be more nervous at the rear than perhaps expected.
Competitive pace despite the spin
Even with the momentary loss of control, Liam Lawson demonstrated a solid pace on the opening day of F1 Testing. With 35 minutes remaining in the session, he posted a personal best lap time of 1:31.560 on medium compound tires, placing him just 0.132 seconds behind Mercedes’ rookie Andrea Kimi Antonelli, who topped the timesheets this AM with a 1:31.428. This suggests that, despite some early teething issues, Red Bull remains in a strong position.
What this means for Red Bull’s 2025 campaign
Looking ahead, Red Bull’s 2025 prospects remain relatively strong, but the team will need to refine the RB21’s balance to ensure consistency throughout the season. The rear-end nervousness seen this morning in Bahrain – especially in lower-speed sectors – could prove problematic on tracks with high mechanical grip demands, such as Monaco and Singapore.
With Verstappen leading the drivers charge going into 2025, and Lawson showing potential as a reliable second driver, Red Bull will be aiming to defend their dominance.
Over the remaining test sessions, Red Bull’s focus will likely be on dialling in the car’s ride and ensuring their drivers can extract maximum performance without being caught out by rear instability. If they can smooth out these issues, Red Bull remains well-positioned for another strong season, but will they lose out to McLaren?
What Lawson had to say
“I had so much fun out there today and it was so good to finally drive the new car properly and do some laps. It feels okay but obviously it is very early days, so it’s very much about learning at the moment.”
“For me, there is a lot more to come because I need to learn a lot moving teams but from a Team side we are just trying to learn about the new car, and optimise these testing days.”
“We had a plan of test items, and we managed to go through the whole plan, which is always good. We go into tomorrow with a lot more running and a better idea of where to improve the car.
“It’s hard to tell where we are in terms of pace but the car feels good to drive and comfortable. Testing is just as important to me, as it is for the Team to learn about the car. It’s crucial to maximise these days before Melbourne.”
