WATCH: Ride onboard as Alonso sets the fastest lap in Friday practice in Bahrain

Fernando Alonso finished an impressive second in the first practice session but went one better under the lights as he set a scintillating 1m 30.907s to wind up comfortably ahead of the Red Bull pair of Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez.

The Spaniard had looked on it from word go in Bahrain, and once the sun set and the track began to cool, he wasted no time in bolting on the soft compound tyre and going for a qualifying simulation run. His time was just a few tenths off last year’s pole position, and a healthy 0.169s ahead of the reigning world champion.

Hit play on the video above to see the 2023 Aston Martin in action, with anticipation ramping up over their chances this season.

READ MORE: Alonso gives his take on where Aston Martin stand after table-topping start to 2023 in Bahrain