Dutchman Max Verstappen, three-time reigning Formula 1 world champion, took the best time on the first day of pre-season winter testing on Wednesday at the Sakhir circuit in Bahrain.
The Red Bull driver was more than a second ahead of Briton Lando Norris (McLaren) and Carlos Sainz, who is starting his last season in the ranks of Ferrari.
The Spaniard will be replaced next year by seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes), expected on the Bahraini track on Thursday. Like Sergio Pérez with Verstappen at Red Bull, the Briton gave way to his teammate George Russell for the whole of this first day, the teams only having one car for two drivers.
1. Max Verstappen (NED/Red Bull) a 1:31.344 (143 tours)
2. Lando Norris (GBR/McLaren) 1,140 (73)
3. Carlos Sainz (ESP/Ferrari) 1,240 (69)
4. Daniel Ricciardo (AUS/Racing Bulls) 1,225 (52)
5. Pierre Gasly (FRA/Alpine) 1.461 (61)
6. Lance Stroll (CAN/Aston Martin) 1.663 (54)
7. Charles Leclerc (MON/Ferrari) 1.903 (64)
8. Fernando Alonso (ESP/Aston Martin) 2,041 (77)
9. Oscar Piastri (AUS/McLaren) 2,314 (57)
10. Zhou Guanyu (CHN/Sauber) 2.527 (63)
11. Logan Sargeant (USA/Williams) 2.538 (21)
12. George Russell (GBR/Mercedes) 2.765 (122)
13. Yuki Tsunoda (JPN/Racing Bulls) 2.792 (64)
14. Valtteri Bottas (FIN/Sauber) 3.087 (68)
15. Alex Albon (THA/Williams) 3.243 (40)
16. Esteban Ocon (FRA/Alpine) 3.333 (60)
17. Kevin Magnussen (DEN/Haas) 4,348 (66)
18. Nico Hulkenberg (GER/Haas) 4.562 (82)