Max Verstappen posts fastest opening day session by wide margin

Field Level Media|published: 02/21/2024, 2:36pm EST

Nov 18, 2023; Las Vegas, Nevada, USA; Red Bull Racing Honda driver Max Verstappen of Netherlands (1) celebrates after winning the Formula 1 Heineken Silver Las Vegas Grand Prix at the Las Vegas Strip Circuit. credits: Lucas Peltier-USA TODAY Sports

Three-time defending world champion Max Verstappen posted a time of 1:31.344 on the first day of Formula One preseason testing in Bahrain on Wednesday, more than a second better than his closest competitor.

The Red Bull Racing star also led drivers with 143 laps completed, competing in both sessions. Verstappen posted the time in the final half hour on C3 compound tires.

Lando Norris was a distant second for McLaren, Carlos Sainz was third with Daniel Ricciardo coming in fourth.

Verstappen shoots for four straight titles when the season opens March 2 at Bahrain International Circuit.

Preseason testing resumes Thursday.

—Field Level Media