Verstappen "first impression" of "different" RB18

Ewan Gale
Wednesday 23 February 2022 09:46 - Updated: 09:46

Max Verstappen gained a "first impression" of the Red Bull RB18 in a behind closed doors pre-season shakedown with F1 racing to "very different" rules this year.

F1 will race to an all-new set of technical regulations this year with the sport focusing on generating downforce through the use of ground effect technology rather than numerous bargeboards and winglets.

Red Bull had kept Verstappen's championship-defending RB18 under wraps before Wednesday and the start of pre-season testing in Spain with the team using a show car at its official launch ceremony.

After the RB18 was finally revealed in all its glory at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Verstappen said: “We got our first impression of the RB18 at our filming day last week and the car looks good.

"The rules are very different this year and so it is nice to get your first few laps in and get a feel for it.

"I don’t have any aims for the season yet, I just want to rock up to the track and try and do the best I can, like I do every single year. If the car is quick, I am sure we can do a very good job again.

"I am looking forward to another fun year together with the team and Checo, he is a great guy and we really push each other, which at the end of the day is good for the team.”