Red Bull hit with early concern at F1 pre-season testing

Red Bull’s running during the morning session on the second day of F1 pre-season testing was brought to a premature end.

Liam Lawson, at the wheel of the RB21 for the entire second day at the Bahrain International Circuit, managed just 28 laps in the first four hours of the middle day.

With around 30 minutes to go in the morning session, the Milton Keynes squad appeared to call it until after lunch, putting up the boarding that signifies a team has taken the floor off its car.

Red Bull confirmed to RacingNews365 this was due to a loss of engine water pressure.

This, coupled with the brief spell of rain, heavily curtailed Lawson’s running, who finished the session eighth fastest.

It is not yet clear whether the power unit issue will be rectified in time for the afternoon session, which runs from 15:00 to 19:00 local time.

The New Zealander will hand over the RB21 to Max Verstappen after that session, for the entire final day of running in Bahrain.