Yesterday, the Formula 1 season kicked off with the official test at Bahrain. This year, the testing has been curtailed to just three days, one week before the first Grand Prix, also hosted at Bahrain, next week.
With testing so limited, there is no time for cloak and daggers or sand-bags, so it was telling that Max Verstappen was fastest on the opening day with the new Red Bull Racing RB19. It was the first time we got to see the actual car that will be used to defend the World titles in 2023. Not surprisingly, it is further refinement of the all-conquering RB18. Not only did the RB19 proof fast, it was also reliable as Verstappen completed 157 laps.
Fernando Alonso was second fastest with the Aston Martin AMR23. The British team's day did not start off well as the car ground to the halt on its first outing but the issues were obviously quickly rectified. The new Ferrari SF-23 also proved fast with Charles Leclerc and Carlos Sainz Jr. clocking the third and fourth fastest times. It was also an encouraging day for McLaren with Lando Norris starting the 60th anniversary year with a fifth fastest in the MCL60.
Clearly having a lot riding on a successful test was the Mercedes team, who were keen to bounce back from a disappointing 2022 season. The all-black W14 was sixth fastest in the hands of Lewis Hamilton. Crucially, team boss Toto Wolff reported there was none of the bouncing that hampered the W13 so much at the start of the 2022 season.

Enjoy the links:

2023 Aston Martin AMR23 Mercedes

2023 Ferrari SF-23

2023 McLaren MCL60 Mercedes

2023 Mercedes-AMG W14 E Performance

2023 Red Bull Racing RB19 RBPT Honda