F1 testing 2023: Max Verstappen impresses on opening day as Fernando Alonso takes surprise second

Max Verstappen topped the timesheet on the opening day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain; the reigning world champion edged out Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso by three hundredths of a second; watch day two of testing on Friday from 6:50am on Sky Sports F1

Reigning world champion Max Verstappen topped the timesheet on the opening day of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain as Red Bull received “positive signs” from their new car.

Verstappen, who goes into the 2023 season seeking a third successive title, topped Thursday’s opening session from Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz, before improving by a tenth in the afternoon to stay marginally clear of Fernando Alonso, who set an eye-catching time for his new team Aston Martin.

The Dutchman, who was the only driver to feature in both sessions on the first of three days of testing, completed a remarkable 157 laps at the Bahrain International Circuit, which will host the opening Grand Prix of the season on March 5.

Charles Leclerc, who finished second to Verstappen last year, slotted into fourth behind his team-mate Sainz, while Lando Norris was fifth for McLaren despite losing track time after the team needed to carry out “precautionary repairs” to his car.

Mercedes appeared unable to match Verstappen’s pace as Lewis Hamilton finished sixth after driving in the later session, but were at least encouraged by the apparent absence of the bouncing issues that plagued their disappointing 2022 campaign.

Lewis Hamilton completed 83 laps of the Bahrain International Circuit

The seven-time world champion completed an impressive 83 laps, while team-mate George Russell earlier managed a solid 69 laps of running which left him ninth at the end of the day.

Alex Albon was seventh for Williams, but the apparent success of a team many expect to be at the back of the field this season offers a reminder that testing timesheets must be viewed with caution, given the potential for teams to be running vastly different setups.

Albon’s new team-mate Logan Sargeant finished the day highest of F1’s three 2023 rookies, with Nyck de Vries 13th for AlphaTauri and McLaren’s Oscar Piastri 18th.

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Aston Martin reserve driver Felipe Drugovich brought out the first red flag of testing.

Formula 2 champion Felipe Drugovich, who was called in at short notice to replace the injured Lance Stroll, also delivered a solid display as he overcame an early breakdown, which led to the only red flag of the day, to complete 40 laps and finish 14th.

More to follow…