De Vries fastest during test session, Verstappen takes it easy

Two days after winning his first world title Max Verstappen was back in his Red Bull. The Dutchman did not set any fast times, but he did drive 124 laps during the first test day in Abu Dhabi. Nyck de Vries set the fastest time.

Verstappen was probably still reeling from his victory, because he didn't set any fast times today. With a 1:28.013, the new world champion set the seventeenth fastest time of the day. He was productive though with no less than 124 laps. The teams are testing the new 18-inch Pirelli tyres this week, which are also responsible for a considerable difference in speed.

As part of the young driver test many young drivers got the chance to drive a Formula 1 car today. One of those drivers is De Vries who drove for Mercedes. The Formula E-champion did a good job and set the fastest time. With a time of 1:23.194 he was almost one and a half seconds faster than anyone else.

George Russell entered the car of his new employer Mercedes today. The Briton was not aiming for fast times today either. The former Williams driver drove the eighteenth time and was almost five seconds slower than De Vries. Valtteri Bottas could already get used to the Alfa Romeo in Abu Dhabi. The Finn switches from Mercedes to the originally Swiss team this season.