Lewis Hamilton: Is this hint that Sebastian Vettel will NOT be the closest opponent in 2019? | F1 | sport

Formula 1 teams have spent the last two days in Abu Dhabi testing the new Pirelli tires for the 2019 season.

It also gives pilots who have changed their seat the first opportunity to get used to their new teams.

And Ferrari's Vettel led the pack after the first day of testing yesterday.

But while the German did not participate in this morning's session, his new teammate Leclerc broke Vettel's record by almost three-tenths.

World champion Hamilton being on vacation, Mercedes asked Valtteri Bottas to test his car.

But the Finn finished second behind Vettel on the first day and fourth on the second day.

Kimi Raikkonen in a Sauber and Pierre Gasly at Red Bull also took the start.

Meanwhile, Vettel warned of bouncing back stronger next year after finishing 88 points behind Hamilton.

"Looking back, I have not been at the top of my game," said Vettel.

"I can be better than I was sometimes this year, I think I need time for myself, it's a pretty difficult and exhausting year for me.

"I do not think I ever had a problem raising my hand if I made a mistake.

"I do not think I need to change things upside down, but I can certainly adapt and become stronger."

Results of Test Day 1 in Abu Dhabi

1. Sebastian Vettel, Ferrari, 1: 36.812 (68 laps)

2. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, + 0.419s (120)

3. Lance Stroll, Force India, + 0.603s (56)

4. Max Verstappen, Red Bull, More than 1.135s (132)

5. Sergio Perez, Force India, + 1.164s (67)

6. Lando Norris, McLaren, + 1.375s (136)

7. Nico Hulkenberg, Renault, + 1.977s (128)

8. Pietro Fittipaldi, Haas, + 2.389s (55)

9. Robert Kubica, Williams, + 2457s (32)

10. George Russell, Williams, + 2.700s (42)

11. Kimi Raikkonen, Sauber, + 3.066s (102)

12. Sean Gelael, Toro Rosso, + 3.623s (150)

Abu Dhabi test day 2 results

1. Charles Leclerc, Ferrari, 1: 36 450 (133 laps)

2. Pierre Gasly, Red Bull, +1.466 (128)

3. Lance Stroll, Force India, +1.594 (122)

4. Valtteri Bottas, Mercedes, +1.998 (143)

5. Carlos Sainz, McLaren, + 2.097 (147)

6. Artem Markelov, Renault, +2,140 (129)

7. George Russell, Williams, +2.386 (36)

8. Daniil Kvyat, Toro Rosso, +2.412 (155)

9. Louis Deletraz, Haas, +2,619 (115)

10. Robert Kubica, Williams, +3,815 (56)

11. Antonio Giovinazzi, Sauber, +3.985 (125)