Bahrain Testing Day 3 - Why Red Bull's Pace Is The Real Deal

Formula 1's 2021 pre-season testing was a fast and furious three days in the desert. Unlike recent years with three different tests, or going back to further to unlimited testing, the last three days required an intense plan from the teams. Tyres, fuel loads and new aero parts all had to be evaluated in a vastly compressed time.. For McLaren, the only team moving engine partner, they had to assess their winter efforts to integrate a new Mercedes power unit.

So who were the winners and losers? We think Red Bull are a credible threat from the very start of the season unlike recent campaigns. Mercedes are not in dire straits but they never looked comfortable, whether that was a car which wasn't dialed in, to Hamilton making unforced errors.

Aston Martin had a tricky test and, whilst Vettel and Stroll are both upbeat, they would have loved more miles to understand the car. Surely Vettel's vast experience means he will have a good idea about the potential of the car, even if they couldn't deliver an ultimate lap time this week.

Your host Jake Boxall-Legge (Technical Editor, Autosport) is joined by Luke Smith (F1 Reporter, Autosport) and Jess McFadyen (Director of Digital Strategy, Motorsport Network).

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices