Verstappen sees 'stable weekend' as key to success in Bahrain

©RedBull

Max Verstappen says a "stable weekend" void of any significant issues will be key to Red Bull scoring big points and perhaps a win in Bahrain next weekend.

Red Bull exited pre-season testing as a favourite along with Ferrari to take top spoils in the opening round of the 2022 F1 World Championship .

The Milton Keynes-based outfit's RB18 displayed speed and rock solid reliability last week, and F1's reigning world champion is looking for more of the same upon his team's return to Sakhir, where F1 will officially begin a new era of performance and entertainment for the sport's fans.

"We learnt a lot at testing in Barcelona and Bahrain, I’m very excited to turn our attention to racing now, it’s a whole new era for the sport and anything can happen," said Verstappen in Red Bull's Bahrain Grand Prix preview.

"The focus is to bring the grid together and make it easier to follow, I hope we see that in the first race.

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"Everything is so new so there are a lot of unknowns heading into the first race of the season. I’m looking forward to seeing where we are compared to the rest of the grid come qualifying on Saturday.

"The car looks good and as a Team we are in a good place. The most important thing for us in Bahrain is to have a stable weekend without too many issues and we hope to score a good amount of points."

©RedBull

Verstappen's teammate Sergio Perez, who is set to start his second season with Red Bull, feels he's better prepared this year compared to last season given his familiarity and experience with his team.

"I am looking forward to the new season, automatically you feel more settled going into your second year with a team," he said.

"I feel more prepared because I now know exactly how the Team operates and the Oracle Red Bull Racing philosophy, so that makes a difference.

"Every team is in the same position starting the season, in that we don’t know the car as much because of the shakeup in regulations but we had a really good test, both in Bahrain and Barcelona.

"It will be interesting to see where everyone is on Sunday when the flag comes down and I think it will make for a good race.

"I am very excited for 2022 and I know the important thing is that I am consistent throughout the year - I am up for the fight."

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.