Verstappen is realistic: 'The race is only what matters'

Max Verstappen is ready for the race weekend in Bahrain. In a Red Bull press release, the Dutchman looked back on the successful winter test and looks ahead to the upcoming grand prix.

While Verstappen has often indicated he prefers to be at home in Monaco, the two-time World Champion has stayed in Bahrain this week. "I stayed here after the test, so that's nice going into the weekend. Given all the testing we have been able to do, we are going into the weekend with a good starting position."

That the test days were positive for Red Bull is clear, but Verstappen does not want to be too harsh. "A lot can be said about reading data during testing, but on every track a car can react differently. So I think as a team we have to keep our focus on developing the car and always strive to get better, something we have been doing all year."

Two more nights of sleep and then Max Verstappen will get into his RB19 for the first free practice of the season. "We've had three good days of testing, but now comes what really matters: the race."