Red Bull star Max Verstappen will get a feel for the RB21 during this week’s Bahrain testing as he heads in to the new season with ambitions of winning his fifth consecutive world championship.

The Dutchman eventually eased to the title last time around, despite being hunted down by McLaren ace Lando Norris throughout the second half of the campaign.

Norris will be aiming to finally stop Verstappen in 2025, with McLaren hoping their car is strong enough to give them the edge.

Lewis Hamilton, meanwhile, is eyeing up a record eighth world title after moving from Mercedes to Ferrari over the winter.

The first day of Bahrain testing got underway at 7am GMT Wednesday, with a lunch break scheduled for 11am before the end of the session at 4pm.

The new F1 season will then begin in mid-March as drivers head to Australia for the opening race.