Red Bull Racing has officially unveiled the RB21 on track in Sakhir, completing its first shakedown ahead of the crucial pre-season tests.
After releasing a few studio photos (in the dark) of its Red Bull RB21 this morning, the Austrian team carried out its first shakedown today in Sakhir, on the eve of the official test sessions.
Max Verstappen and Liam Lawson each completed 100 kilometers of running, as per regulations, without any issues according to initial reports.
Red Bull Racing has shared the first official on-track images, offering a clearer look at the new F1 car from Milton Keynes.
From a technical perspective, the sidepods appear more rounded and shorter, with a steeper downwashing effect (redirecting airflow downward).
Beyond that, the continuity with the RB19 and RB20 is evident, with improved bodywork integration in front of the sidepod inlets.
From what can be seen here, the differences between the RB20 and RB21 seem minimal, though the suspension geometry has also evolved to accommodate aerodynamic changes.
“It’s great to be back on track in Bahrain for this filming day before moving on to testing,” Verstappen told us.
“It’s really nice to get back behind the wheel and step into the RB21 for the first time. I did a few laps, but today was mainly about getting comfortable in the car, seeing what suits it, and we’ll learn more about it in the coming days.”
“We know last year’s limitations, so it’s important to assess the pace over the next few days and see if we’ve made progress. We don’t have much time before the first race, so during testing, we hope to cover a lot of mileage and get plenty of running to understand where we can find time.”
“For now, I don’t have specific goals for the season because we don’t know how competitive we are, but I’m excited to get back to racing, especially at Spa and Zandvoort, my favorite tracks on the calendar.”
Lawson, meanwhile, said that “the first impressions are good, it’s always exciting to get in the car for the first time.”
“For my part, I have never started a full season in Formula 1, so preparations and days like this filming day are valuable for me. We are also getting to know a new car, and so far, the RB21 is performing well; the upcoming test days will be beneficial.”
“I am especially looking forward to racing, completing a full pre-season with a team, and learning along the way. This is not a new team for me; I already knew so many people here, and I am very happy to work with such a talented group. My goal, quite simply, is to be fast and to be where the team needs me. The objective is to reclaim the Constructors’ Championship this year, and if we achieve that, it means I am doing my part. Collectively, we all share the same goal, which is to be as far ahead as possible.”
Christian Horner, CEO and Team Principal, concluded: “It’s great to be back here in Bahrain for our filming day, although given the weather, you might think we’re still at Silverstone with this chill. It’s always exciting to see a new car on track for the first time, and it was a good system check ahead of tomorrow, when the RB21 will take to the track alongside its rivals.”
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Red Bull RB21 Hits Sakhir: First Track Images Revealed Red Bull RB21 Hits Sakhir: First Track Images Revealed
