Verstappen made🦹 the most of the upgraded RB18 to set the pace on day three𒁏 in Bahrain.

A series of fast laps at the end of the day put the reigning world꧂ champion on top with a 1m31.720s, over 0.5s clear of Haas’ Mick Schജumacher.

Speaking after the final day o🌱f running ahead of the new season, Verstappen played down his impressive lap times.

“The mai🔯n focus today was testing the tyres we are going to use next week, Verstappen said.

“The car felt alright and we completed the programme we set out to do, so that’s always positive.&🐽nbsp;

“No one gives full beans o🐷r goes to qualifying spec at testing,📖 so we can’t read too much into the timing screens. The new parts we tested today worked well which is what we always hope for.”

Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package on the fi♌nal day of the test and Verstappen w♛as pleased with how they worked.

“Comparedꩲ to Barcelona I think more of it is the track, the rough surface and the warmer conditions, with the layout of the 🐼track it makes it a completely different feeling compared to Barcelona,” he added. “We learned a lot more about the car and we made the car faster and I think that’s what you want.

“Of course, it’s best in low fuel, naturally on high fuel ꦚthe car is lazy and doesn’t really do a lot. That’s the same for everyone, but I think with the new parts which arrived today they also worked well, which you always hope for.”

Verstap💙pen’s title def𒀰ence will begin next weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 18-20.