Verstappen after testing: Our Red Bull is faster

Max Verstappen finished the first day of pre-season testing in fourth having completed 167 laps, but the Dutchman warned that no conclusions can be drawn until after the Australian Grand Prix season opener.

The first to complete a Grand Prix distance and the first to pass 100-laps, Verstappen drove more laps of anyone on day one of preseason testing at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

"It has been a good day; the car has been working really well," said Verstappen. "And the engine. That’s all we want to see. For us it is the most important (thing). Very happy about that. We just wanted to learn about the car, try bits on the car. It has been a long day. It is your first time back in the car so of course your neck is always going to be stiff.

"The car is faster, which is a good thing. The reliability seems even better, so it is all very positive."

Verstappen was visibly pushing the limits of the RB16 from the start and two spins in the afternoon session, both coming in the final sector of the lap,

"I touched once the gravel, that is why I spun," said Verstappen. "And once I lost it in the same corner. These things can happen trying to see the limits of the car. What you can do. Those things are part of it, luckily no damage. Which at the end of the day is the most important thing."

Questioned on whether the RB16 had passed the first test, Verstappen left reporters under no illusions, saying, "No, the first test will be Melbourne."

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