Verstappen fastest on first morning of testing

World champion Max Verstappen began the 2023 Formula 1 season where he left off last year by topping the first morning of testing at the Bahrain International Circuit.

REPORT: Max Verstappen goes quickest during Thursday's morning session#F1 #F1Testinghttps://t.co/lPpbQN2piX

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 23, 2023

The Red Bull driver set a 1:32.959 — 2.5 seconds off 2022’s pole position time at the same circuit — as all 10 teams took to the track with their brand-new machinery.

Plenty of laps on the board during our morning session 📊#F1 #F1Testing pic.twitter.com/TXUHirM9s5

— Formula 1 (@F1) February 23, 2023

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Lap times, however, mean very little this early in testing.

Carlos Sainz was second fastest for Ferrari, 0.294s off the Dutch driver.

The majority of the morning appeared to be dedicated to gathering aerodynamic data from their new cars for most teams.

Several drivers carried aero measuring equipment on their car on track.

Aston Martin was the only team to encounter an on-track problem on the opening morning of testing, when the car stopped on the circuit with an electrical issue.

The problem was soon fixed, and reserve driver Felipe Drugovic, who is standing in for Canada’s Lance Stroll after the regular race driver sustained injuries in a cycling accident earlier this week, completed 40 laps by the lunch break.

Thursday’s test session will continue in the afternoon, with all teams bar Red Bull swapping drivers during the lunch break.