Horner: The fight is to make sure we retain #1 on the car

Verstappen took up the option of using the #1, a privilege given only to the reigning Formula 1 World Champion, and Christian Horner admits that by doing that, the team now have more motivation and will to make sure it stays on the Red Bull car beyond 2022.

Horner told F1's official website: "I mean, sticking that number one on the car after all the pain that we went through last year, the fight that it was in 2021, and now the fight is to make sure we retain it on the car... it’s just energised everyone in the team.

"You can see a spring in everybody’s step and it gives people confidence as well, which is such an important thing in any sport – which is to not have arrogance, but confidence – and I think that runs through the organisation," the Briton revealed.

Asked about his impressions from the three-day pre-season testing session held at Barcelona regarding the team's head-turning RB18, Horner seemed positive, with his team achieving a total of 358 laps, an equivalent of 1673 km.

"Yes, so far it’s great to be back on track – these new cars are very, very different, so it’s sort of a ‘get to know you’ process with this new car, the RB18, and so far, the feedback’s been good," Horner said. "It’s behaving as we expected and as our tools predicted. So, it’s been an encouraging start."

As for what lies ahead in terms of the championship, and the close racing the sport has been promising with the new cars, Horner believes many teams have a chance to be contenders. He said: "It’s what everybody wants to see.

"You want to see the best drivers in the world, fighting wheel-to-wheel, and I think Ferrari could be in there this year, McLaren looking strong, so you might have a few candidates – and don’t forget George Russell.

"I think he’s going to be a key component in this championship, as well," Horner predicted.

Red Bull as the other F1 teams will have their focus now set on the "official" pre-season test in Bahrain between March 10 and 12, ahead of the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on March 20.