Max Verstappen was in an upbeat mood on Wednesday afternoon after completing the first laps in Red Bull's 2020 challenger at Silverstone.
The new car had been launched earlier in the day in an online presentation from the team's headquarters in Milton Keynes.
In the afternoon, the team decamped to Silverstone for a filming day which is permitted by the rules and regulations in advance of the start of official pre-season testing in Spain next week.
The shakedown was limited to no more than 100km, and provided the team with video clips for sponsors to use in promotional activities over the course of the year.
The man behind the RB16's first charge 👊 @Max33Verstappen gives his launch day lowdown 🏁 #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/CKQUSVaJ6p
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 12, 2020
"I've just finished my day, my filming day, first time in the RB16," reported Verstappen in a video clip posted to social media site Twitter.
"It's important to get the car running and check all the bits on the car that it's all working before we head to Barcelona. I can’t wait to be there.”
"It was very positive," he confirmed.
Earlier, Verstappen had told Sky Sports F1 about his hopes for the forthcoming season.
"I hope this year onwards we are fighting for a podium at least, and the worst-case scenario is third," he told Natalie Pinkham. "We are doing everything we can to try and step up.
While Verstappen might have been behind the wheel of the car, his team mate Alexander Albon also wasn't far from the scene as the Dutch driver put the RB16 through it's initial paces.
"Quite fast, quite fast" 🤘 @Alex_albon provides his RB16 update trackside 🎙 #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/wpFgwldaaW
— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 12, 2020
Albon was on hand to tweet from trackside. "Max is out on track now, the car is looking pretty good," he said, happy to confirm that the new car looked "Quite fast, quite fast!"
Red Bull itself reported that the afternoon's track time had gone entirely to plan and that it had been a “good first outing” with no reports of any issues of glitches.
"We can confirm the RB16 is sounding sweet," the team added. "What a beauty, Max and the RB16 are shining in the Silverstone spotlight."
The new car was sporting the tried-and-tested Red Bull livery, with the team making no apologies sticking to an unchanged look for 2020.
"Liveries are made to last," the team stated in the social media posts covering the new car. "It's straight back to business in our iconic matte livery as the Bulls pick up where they left off and prepare to charge into the 2020 Formula 1 season.
"The RB16 is here to #ChargeOn!"
Gallery: The beautiful wives and girlfriends of F1 drivers
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
