Red Bull Racing announces schedule for pre-season test in Bahrain

Red Bull Racing has announced their schedule for the upcoming winter test in Bahrain. The test will take place from 10-12 March, and will be split equally between Max Verstappen and Sergio Perex, who will have the chance to test the RB18.

Verstappen will step back into his RB18 on Friday 11 March, and will be in action all day at the Bahrain International Circuit. Teammate Sergio Perez will be in action on Thursday. Both drivers will then complete another half day of testing on Saturday, reports Dutch newspaper The Telegraph.

The test days in Bahrain will probably be a bit more representative than those in Barcelona. Still, the proportions will only really become clear during the first race weekend of the year, which also takes place in Bahrain. The Bahrain Grand Prix is scheduled for 20 March.

Another unknown factor is the lineup of Haas. The American racing stable already removed title sponsor Uralkali from the car in Barcelona and has now finally broken with the one financing the team.

That means the end of the Formula 1 career of Nikita Mazepin, who will be replaced by Pietro Fittipaldi during the test days. Whether he will be Mazepin's permanent replacement is not yet known. Haas are said to be considering other candidates, including Antonio Giovinazzi.