Verstappen Shatters 2025 Pole Time on Day 1 of Bahrain Testing

Max Verstappen set the benchmark on the opening day of pre-season testing at Bahrain International Circuit, posting a lap time that was a staggering two seconds faster than the 2025 pole position. The Dutchman completed 67 laps aboard the RB22, with his best time coming on the medium C3 compound. Red Bull team principal Christian Horner cautioned against reading too much into the times, noting that fuel loads and engine modes varied significantly between teams.