Max Verstappen Surprised by RB22 Progress in F1 Testing

Formula 1, Sportrik Media - Max Verstappen was reportedly pleasantly surprised by the early development of Red Bull Racing’s RB22 during the opening phase of Formula 1 pre-season testing, according to rare insight shared by former F1 driver Nelson Piquet Jr..

Red Bull took part in Formula 1’s official five-day shakedown test at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya at the end of January, marking the first on-track running of the RB22. The test was particularly significant as it represented Verstappen’s first opportunity to drive a Red Bull powered by the team’s own in-house power unit programme.

Despite not being in full health, Verstappen completed 145 laps of the Barcelona circuit across the test. The mileage was notable given the early stage of development and the complexity involved in integrating a new power unit architecture with a brand-new chassis.

Speaking on the Pelas Pistas podcast, Piquet Jr. initially avoided discussing specific technical details, stressing the inherently secretive nature of pre-season testing and the difficulty in assessing true competitive performance at such an early stage.

However, when pressed by co-host Christian Fittipaldi about Verstappen’s feedback, Piquet Jr. revealed telling details about Red Bull’s internal reaction to the RB22’s early running.

“He was surprised that people had already come this far with the new car,” Piquet Jr. said. “Max sometimes has a bit of a pessimistic view of things, but in this case he indicated that they could have already completed 100 laps.”

The comments suggest that Red Bull’s baseline reliability exceeded internal expectations, particularly for a car making its debut with a new power unit. Early reliability is considered a critical indicator of long-term competitiveness under major regulatory changes.

Piquet Jr. was careful not to speculate on comparative pace, underlining that teams are still deliberately disguising their true performance levels during the early testing phase.

“No, that can’t be determined yet,” he insisted. “The teams are still taking it easy to avoid political issues with the FIA. They are keeping an eye on teams that seem to have a big advantage.”

According to Piquet Jr., many teams are intentionally reducing performance to avoid drawing regulatory scrutiny from the FIA during a sensitive regulatory reset.

“So many teams have taken a lot of throttle back,” he added, describing a widespread culture of sandbagging during pre-season testing.

Returning to Verstappen’s reaction, Piquet Jr. emphasised that the four-time world champion’s biggest surprise centred on how smoothly the RB22 operated from its very first laps.

“He was really surprised at the number of laps the car completed when it first left the pit box on day one,” Piquet Jr. explained.

In modern Formula 1, early mileage is a decisive advantage. Completing long runs without interruption allows teams to accelerate correlation work between simulation, wind tunnel data, and real-world performance, particularly important when a new power unit is introduced.

For Red Bull, the RB22’s early reliability strengthens confidence that its ambitious in-house engine project is progressing in the right direction. While outright performance remains deliberately concealed, a stable technical foundation provides the platform required for aggressive development as testing continues.

Piquet Jr.’s remarks also highlight Verstappen’s typically demanding standards. His surprise at the RB22’s readiness suggests that expectations within Red Bull were conservative, reflecting awareness of the risks associated with developing a power unit internally for the first time.

As further testing sessions approach, Red Bull’s focus will remain on refinement rather than lap times. Only once teams begin to unlock full performance will the competitive order become clearer.

For now, Verstappen’s unexpectedly positive reaction to the RB22 offers an early indication that Red Bull’s preparations for the new Formula 1 era are progressing with fewer early setbacks than anticipated.