Dual world champion Fernando Alonso was fastest in a 'young driver' F1 testing session in Abu Dhabi overnight – and set a faster time than Renault did in Grand Prix qualifying on the weekend.<\/p>\n
Alonso, making an F1 comeback with Renault at 39, was given special dispensation by the FIA to drive in the session. He made the most of the extra preparation.<\/p>\n
Alonso, world champion for Renault in 2005-06, topped the time sheets with a lap of 1:36.333; faster than what Daniel Ricciardo<\/a> and Esteban Ocon managed in the RS20 car during qualifying for the Abu Dhabi GP<\/a>. In his first official drive in the car, the Spanish legend also notched 105 laps at the Yas Marina circuit.<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/F1\/status\/1338741608179765248?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n "It was good and very nice to be back in the car especially with the race team," Alonso said.<\/p>\n "I've been testing the 2018 car in preparation but this one felt a bit more serious and it ignited a little bit the competitive spirit. It was great to feel the modern cars and experience what they can do.<\/p>\n "We signed off lots of basic things we did in preparation at the factory like seat fitting, pedal position and so on, which is beneficial with only one and a half days of winter testing next year. We ticked boxes today and we go into Christmas and New Year with good spirit and everyone motivated in the team."<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/RenaultF1Team\/status\/1338762502193213440?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n Alonso is replacing Ricciardo at Renault next season after the Australian switched to McLaren. Ricciardo managed two podiums this year<\/a> and finished fifth in the drivers' championship.<\/p>\n F2 driver Guanyu Zhou also tested for Renault and was ninth on the timesheets, with a best lap of 1:37.902.<\/p>\n Mick Schumacher drove for Haas, with whom he has his first F1 appointment next season. Schumacher was last on the time sheets (1:39.947), yet completed 125 laps and impressed his team.<\/p>\n "His attitude was excellent, as was his understanding of the program, his understanding of the car and working with the engineers to improve his tire management – it was excellent," Haas engineering chief Ayao Komatsu said. "We're very happy."<\/p>\n https:\/\/twitter.com\/HaasF1Team\/status\/1338903375681818625?s=20<\/a><\/p>\n Yuki Tsunoda, the F2 star who is set to replace Daniil Kvyat at AlphaTauri next season, was fifth on the time sheets. He had a best lap of 1:37.557 and completed 123 laps.<\/p>\n For a daily dose of the best of the breaking news and exclusive content from Wide World of Sports, subscribe to our newsletter by<\/strong><\/em>\u00a0clicking here!<\/strong><\/em><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"