Could Red Bull finally pose a threat to the Silver Arrows?

Pre-season testing has concluded at Bahrain and Red Bull Racing, after managing to complete 369 laps throughout the 3 day period, are definitely looking like the team to beat in 2021. Both Verstappen and Perez looked very in control of their car, despite the dutchman's spin on Day 1.

On Day 3, Verstappen was able to top the timesheets on the second softest compound of tyre, while his teammate finished just 2 tenths behind him; on the same compound.

On the other hand, Mercedes were looking very off-colour compared to the high standards they set themselves in the Hybrid era of Formula 1. On Day 1 Valterri Bottas was only able to go out for 6 laps in the W12 after suffering a gearbox issue. Hamilton jumped into the car for the afternoon session and managed to somewhat salvage the lack of running for the silver outfit in the morning by completing 42 laps.

On Day 2, all eyes were on Lewis Hamilton after a lacklustre start to their testing, but what ended up happening was definitely not in the script. Hamilton spun at the exit of turn 13, leaving his car completely beached in the gravel. At this point, everyone knew there was something off about the new W12.

The last day of testing was the day that fortunes were supposed to turn around for the team from Brackley. But pre-season testing gods had another idea. The Mercedes looked very twitchy; as it did most of the time. Lewis was really pushing the limits of his new Mercedes, nearly losing it under braking for turn 1. Right as he was about to start a flying lap under the Bahraini night sky, he spun at the exit of the final corner.

With Bottas being quoted for saying that the car is “snappy and unforgiving”, Lewis saying "we're just not quick enough" and Mercedes being clearly on the backfoot after completing the least amount of laps. Can Red Bull finally beat the Silver Arrows? Or will Mercedes go back to their winning form?