Verstappen made the most oꦗf t𒁃he upgraded RB18 to set the pace on day three 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 Schumacher.

Speaking after the fin🦹al day of running ahead of the n🦂ew season, Verstappen played down his impressive lap times.

“The m🔯ain focus to𒉰day was testing the tyres we are going to use next week, Verstappen said.

“The car felt alright and we com🤪pleted the programme we set out t𝔍o do, so that’s always positive. 

“No one gi🤪ves full beans or goes to qualifying spec at testing, so we can’t re൲ad 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 final day of t🌟he test and Verstappen was pleased with how they worked.

“Compared 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 Bar🧸celona,” he added. “We learned a lot more about the car and we made the car faster and ᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚI think that’s what you want.

“Of course, it’s best in low fuel, naturally on high fuel the 𒁏car 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.”

Verstappen’s title defence will begin next weekendꦺ at the Bahrain Internatio🦂nal Circuit on March 18-20.