Verst🧸appen made the most of the upgraded RB18 to set the pace on day three in Bahrain.

A se🅷ries of fast laps at the end of the day put the reigning world c♔hampion on top with a 1m31.720s, over 0.5s clear of Haas’ Mick Schumacher.

Speaking after the final day of run🎐ning ahead of the new season, Verstappen played down his impressive lap times.

“The main 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. 

“No one gives full beans or goes to qualifying spec at testing, so we can’t readᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ⁤⁤⁤⁤ᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚ too much into the timing screens. The new parts we 𝕴tested today worked well which is what we always hope for.”

Red Bull introduced a significant upgrade package oꦿn th🌄e final day of the test and Verstappen was pleased with how they worked.

“Compared to Barcelona I think more of it is the track, the rough surfa♒ce 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 the 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.”

Verstappen’s title defence will𝔉 begin next weekend at the Bahrain International Circuit on March 18-20.