Champion Verstappen shows off new F1 car

Red Bull have given Formula One fans and rivals their first proper look at their 2022 car at the beginning of the first pre-season test in Barcelona.

Max Verstappen won his maiden F1 drivers' title on the final lap last year, ending Red Bull's seven-year drought, but this season could be more challenging given new 2022 rules especially regarding aerodynamics.

Red Bull only displayed a show car at the official launch earlier in February and the real deal has been under wraps.

But as Verstappen tested the car on Wednesday, the design appeared to be quite different from rivals, especially with regard to the sidepods.

Red Bull have a history of radical design concepts but it remains to be seen if it will work this year.

Verstappen, sporting the No.1 on the front of his car, is driving on Wednesday before Sergio Perez takes over on Thursday.

There are no official timings at the Barcelona test, which is effectively a shakedown for teams.

George Russell made his bow as a permanent Mercedes driver in the test with seven-times champion Lewis Hamilton, controversially denied at the end of last season, due to take the wheel later.