LEWIS HAMILTON ended a session as a Ferrari driver on top for the first time after he set the early pace on the second day of testing in Bahrain.

The seven-time world champion saw off former Mercedes team-mate George Russell by four tenths with the quickest lap of the test so far. Williams’ Carlos Sainz finished third.

While eye-catching times in pre-season have to be treated with caution as the grid’s teams trial different fuel loads and engine power modes, Hamilton will be encouraged by his day’s work ahead of his bid to land a record eighth world championship.