Verstappen enjoys "very positive" first run in new Red Bull

Max Verstappen says he enjoyed a “very positive” maiden outing in Red Bull’s 2020 Formula 1 car during a shakedown run at Silverstone.

The Dutchman turned in his first laps behind the wheel of Red Bull’s RB16 as he debuted the Milton Keynes squad’s 2020 challenger on a filming day at British Grand Prix venue Silverstone on Wednesday.

Verstappen drove Red Bull’s latest F1 car for the first time just hours after the team officially launched its new design for the upcoming campaign.

Red Bull described its RB16’s maiden run as a “good first outing”, with no reports of any issues for Verstappen as he completed the mileage permitted for an initial shakedown event.

“I just finished my filming day and first day in the RB16,” Verstappen said in a short video posted to Red Bull’s Twitter account.

“It was very positive. It’s important to get the car running and check all the bits on the car that it is all working before we head to Barcelona. I can’t wait to be there.”

The man behind the RB16's first charge @Max33Verstappen gives his launch day lowdown #ChargeOn pic.twitter.com/CKQUSVaJ6p

— Aston Martin Red Bull Racing (@redbullracing) February 12, 2020

Verstappen’s teammate, Alexander Albon, was also present at Silverstone but did not drive Red Bull’s 2020 car.

He watched on from the sidelines and took over the team’s social media feeds, while Verstappen was let loose behind the wheel. Instead, the British-Born Thai racer will make his debut in the RB16 during pre-season testing at Barcelona.

Two three-day F1 tests begin next week at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 19-21, before the winter test programme concludes between February 26-28.

The 2020 F1 season opener takes place in Melbourne, Australia on March 15.