Russell concludes Abu Dhabi post-season test on top

© XPB 

George Russell clocked in with the fastest lap at the end of the second and final day of testing in Abu Dhabi, the Briton embracing his testing opportunity with Mercedes.

Russell transferred from Williams to the Silver Arrows squad on Wednesday and enjoyed a productive day of work that put him at the top of the timesheet with 130 laps and a best time of 1m37.204s, an effort achieved on a set of Pirelli's softest C5 2020 tyres.

Ferrari's Charles Leclerc ended the day second fastest, a few tenths adrift from Russell but the Monegasque's afternoon was shortened following an off at Turn 14, the Ferrari clouting the barriers.

While damage wasn't terminal, the Scuderia decided to call it a day on its final test of 2019.

Racing Point's Lance Stroll was the third driver to break the 1m37s barrier, while Toro Rosso's Pierre Gasly was the day's marathon man, the Frenchman achieving a lap count of 146.

Carlos Sainz retired McLaren's MCL34 from active duty with the fifth fastest lap.

Esteban Ocon put 113 laps under his belt during his second day of running with Renault, the F1 returnee ending Pirelli's test P6, ahead of Red Bull's Alex Albon who totaled 139 laps around Yas Marina.

Pietro Fittipaldi was entrusted with Haas' VF19 one final time, the young Brazilian ramping up his speed late in the day to set the eight fastest time of the day, edging Alfa Romeo's Antonio Giovinazzi.

Williams pair Nicholas Latifi and apprentice Roy Nissany closed out the field, respectively in 10th and 11th position, with the former taking over from the latter in the afternoon segment of the session.

Here's a run-down of the day's times and all the times across the two days combined.

Post-season test Day 2

PosDriverTeamTimeCompoundLaps
1George RussellMercedes1:37.204sC5*145
2Charles LeclercFerrari1:37.401sC5103
3Lance StrollRacing Point1:37.999sC5*132
4Pierre GaslyToro Rosso1:38.166sC5*146
5Carlos SainzMcLaren1:38.729sC5*112
6Esteban OconRenault1:38.950s(C4)128
7Alexander AlbonRed Bull1:39.181s(C4)139
8Pietro FittipaldiHaas1:39.682sC5135
9Antonio GiovinazziWilliams1:39.811sC5*115
10Nicholas LatifiAlfa Romeo1:40.188s(C4)*107
11Roy NissanyWilliams1:43.892s(C4)*38

* denotes 2020 compound

=====================================================

Post-season test - Overall

PosDriverTeamTimeCompoundLapsDay
1Valtteri BottasMercedes1:37.124s(C4)1381
2George RussellMercedes1:37.204sC5*1452
3Charles LeclercFerrari1:37.401sC51032
4Sebastian VettelFerrari1:37.991sC5*1361
5Lance StrollRacing Point1:37.999sC5*1322
6Pierre GaslyToro Rosso1:38.166sC5*1462
7Daniil KvyatToro Rosso1:38.183sC5*721
8Sergio PerezRacing Point1:38.434sC5*1201
9Carlos SainzMcLaren1:38.729sC5*1122
10Esteban OconRenault1:38.950s(C4)2052
11Alexander AlbonRed Bull1:39.181s(C4)1392
12Romain GrosjeanHaas1:39.526sC5*1461
13Pietro FittipaldiHaas1:39.682sC51352
14Lando NorrisMcLaren1:39.741sC5*1251
15Antonio GiovinazziWilliams1:39.811sC5*1152
16Max VerstappenRed Bull1:39.926s(C3)*1531
17Nicholas LatifiAlfa Romeo1:40.188s(C4)*1072
18George RussellWilliams1:40.368sC5*871
19Kimi RaikkonenAlfa Romeo1:40.903s(C4)931
20Sean GelaelToro Rosso1:41.640s(C4)*671
21Roy NissanyWilliams1:43.892s(C4)*792

* denotes 2020 compound