What we learned on the final day of F1 testing in Bahrain

It’s a fact: Sergio Perez is the fastest Formula 1 driver in 2023... so far. The Red Bull racer posted the quickest time of all in Bahrain as the one and only pre-season test reached its conclusion on Saturday evening. He guided the RB19 round in 1m30.305s at an average speed of 134mph. Given the Mexican did his best work when fitted with ‘only’ the second-softest tyres, the abiding take away on day three at Sakhir is that Red Bull is the paddock and fans' favourite heading into the curtain-raiser.

Perez had the car to himself as he turned in some 133 laps to exploit the final opportunity to troubleshoot and refine set-up prior to the opening round of the calendar back at the circuit in a week’s time. It certainly marked an improvement on how his day started, as the red flags were called into action after just seven minutes when an aero sensor dropped off his car. When he was able to find a rhythm, he was far more content behind the wheel after a Friday blighted by lock ups across compounds and too often running wide down at Turn 10.