Danill Kvyat declared it's "great to be back" after beginning his third stint at Toro Rosso with a test day in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The Russian, who was dropped from the Red Bull program after a tumultuous 18 months last October, was welcomed back by advisor Helmut Marko following Pierre Gasly's promotion to replace Daniel Ricciardo next year.

And he wasted no time in setting about proving his worth once again as the Faenza-based squad produced another very good day.

"I think it was a very positive and good day as we covered 155 laps, which is about three Grands Prix in one day," Kvyat said, in addition to the 150 Sean Gelael did on Tuesday.

"To be honest, I felt comfortable and confident straight away in the car which was great.

"What’s important about today was we were able to test a good amount of tyres for next year, gathering a lot of useful information and data for the team.

"I’m feeling really comfortable here and it’s great to be back, I’m really looking forward to next year!"

Also Read:

• Toro Rosso confirm Albon alongside Kvyat for 2019
• Kvyat "stronger and better prepared" ahead of 2019 F1 return

The distance covered is a remarkable achievement for Toro Rosso and Honda, who have made great strides in recent months, and team boss Franz Tost was very satisfied with what was accomplished.

"In two days of the post-season Pirelli test, Toro Rosso Honda managed to complete an impressive 305 laps (1694km)," he confirmed.

"This is the highest mileage we have ever achieved in a two-day test, so I’d like to congratulate the team and Honda for their hard work, as they’ve prepared a very reliable car.

"Sean Gelael drove for us the first day, and his precise technical feedback was a good basis for us to find an optimum setup for today’s test and for the 2019-spec Pirelli tyres.

"We were all more than happy to see Daniil back in Toro Rosso for the second day of testing, and he was able to immediately show a good performance," he added.

"With all of the new data we’ve gathered, the engineers have a valid platform on how to prepare and run the tyres next year.

"We’re already looking forward to the next season, Daniil and Alex (Albon) are very competitive drivers and we can’t wait to see them on track."

Sebastian Vettel recovered from an early crash to lead the opening day of the Pirelli tyre test taking place in Abu Dhabi.

The German hit the barriers at Turn 1 in the morning causing a red flag but would hit the track in the afternoon posting a 1m36.812s, completing 68 laps overall.

The two days of running at Yas Marina are an opportunity for teams to understand and compare the 2019 compounds to those used this past season.

Little information will be made public as to what tyres are used, but it is a crucial chance for data gathering in representative conditions under the sunny skies in the Middle East.

Valtteri Bottas led for much for the day but finished second in the Mercedes four-tenths back, the Finn did complete 120 laps, however in a productive day.

Force India split their running between the two 2019 drivers with Lance Stroll making his debut in the afternoon and finishing third with future teammate Sergio Perez fifth, either side of Max Verstappen's Red Bull.

Lando Norris was sixth in the McLaren ahead of Nico Hulkenberg for Renault with both also comfortably surpassing the 100-lap mark.

Haas junior Pietro Fittipaldi made his first appearance for the American squad and despite an early engine failure, completed a race distance of 55 laps in eighth.

Williams also cut the day between their new line-up for next year with George Russell ahead of Robert Kubica in ninth and 10th respectively.

Kimi Raikkonen returned to Sauber for the first time since 2001 and was 11th fastest with his day curtailed by reliability.

Finally, Sean Gelael completed the times but did complete the most laps with 150 for the Honda-powered Toro Rosso.

Charles Leclerc admitted emotions were running high as he completed his first test day as a Ferrari driver in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.

The Monegasque made an impressive debut by posting the fastest time across the two days, even if the Scuderia was the only front-running team to attempt relatively fast laps on the new Pirelli tyres.

It was a first taste, however, that will only continue to raise expectations ahead of Leclerc's big moment next season and the 21-year-old couldn't help but get caught up.

"Of course it was emotional because driving a Ferrari is special and because this was a day I had been waiting for, for so long without being sure if it would ever happen," he said.

"I am pleased about that and with the work we did. We got through all our programme which centred on comparison testing between this and next year’s tyres.

"For me, it was important because I also got to know the team better, although some were no strangers to me given my time with the Ferrari Driver Academy.

"Over the next few weeks, I will work to be in the best possible shape and to learn from everyone in the team and my teammate. I can’t wait for next season to start…"

Neither can we Charles, neither can we.

McLaren chairman Sheikh Mohammed bin Essa Al Khalifa has defended the decision to drop Honda after the 2017 season.

The Woking-based team endured a tough three seasons with the Japanese manufacturer after re-kindling their once highly successful partnership in 2015, as poor performance and reliability left them trailing down the order.

A move to Renault units for this year was meant to spark new life into McLaren but instead, it has done the opposite with the team finishing only ahead of Williams in the pecking order after another difficult year.

On the contrary, Honda has rebounded showing great progress with Toro Rosso and will now supply Red Bull too, starting from 2019.

“It was in the long-term interests of the company,” Mohammed was quoted by PlanetF1 on Tuesday. “We are committed to this [path with Renault]. The way we were heading [with Honda], the change was bound to come.

“[I have] tremendous respect for Honda but the relationship wasn’t working and so we had a civilised discussion and we decided to part ways,” he added.

“We will see this through. [It is] frustrating because we are racers at heart, but you just have to power through.”

Also Read:

• Perez: Alonso's plight with McLaren 'shows how bad F1 is'
• Alonso: McLaren 'optimistic 2019 car will turn around fortunes

The chairman also believes the worst is now behind McLaren with this year's problems simply discovered too late to address properly.

“We’re confident we know why we haven’t been able to develop this year’s car, there is a fundamental problem, [but] we think we’ve addressed it," Mohammad said.

“Had we discovered that in April we would have had a B car but it was too late.

“I don’t know if we want to disclose what we have discovered and why but we have taken steps, and the development of next year’s car has helped us understand what went wrong here.”

Next season, McLaren will have an all-new line-up with young driver Lando Norris and Carlos Sainz behind the wheel while Stoffel Vandoorne heads to Formula E and Fernando Alonso retiring though will compete at the Indianapolis 500 in a McLaren entry.

Carlos Sainz lavished praise on his new employers after completing a successful first test day with McLaren in Abu Dhabi.

Rather than take what was considered the logical step of replacing Daniel Ricciardo at Red Bull, the Spaniard opted to succeed his hero and mentor Fernando Alonso at the Woking-based team having also being dropped by Renault.

Despite McLaren's problematic year, however, Sainz appears very upbeat as he looked back on his first experience in papaya.

"Going out of the garage today on my first day as a McLaren driver was pretty much a dream come true," said the 24-year-old.

"When I finally completed my first run I felt extremely good, and I must say it’s been a very straightforward day.

"The team has made me feel at home from lap one and from day one yesterday when I started working with them.

"I did a lot of laps today and I’m grateful to the team for giving me such a reliable car to be able to initiate me in this new chapter and new style of car."

Also Read:

• Sainz reveals Hamilton gave backing to his 2019 McLaren move
• Sainz confident McLaren will rebound in 2019 after hitting the 'bottom'

Sainz completed the second highest total of 150 laps on Wednesday finishing fifth overall and was particularly satisfied to have a trouble-free day.

"From the first lap to the 150th lap, I enjoyed them all; the feeling was good and we’ve been able to end the season in the best way possible," the second generatio driver declared.

"As soon as I got out of the box I felt comfortable in the car. Of course, there are always going to be details to improve and new things to adapt to, like the seat and the driving style, but from the first lap I could spend time adapting and getting to know all the new controls and procedures. It’s been great.

"It’s been an intense few days after the race finished here in Abu Dhabi, learning a lot of names and understanding how the car works.

"I’m looking forward to spending more time back at the factory over the winter getting to know the team better and preparing as much as we can for 2019."

George Russell offered a strong assessment of his first morning as a Williams driver having run at the Pirelli tyre test in Abu Dhabi.

The Formula 2 champion clocked 39 laps as he settled into his new environment for 2019 whilst also completing some evaluations between this year's compounds and those for next season.

“My feeling was very positive to be honest,” the Mercedes junior said. “After the first two runs, I had some issues with the balance and I wanted to change and play around with, but once we sorted that I was very confident in the car.

“I had a good feeling to keep on pushing forward and explore the limit, and I think as a driver, that’s really important to have that confidence in the car.

“Once we got the setup right, I had it.”

Russell's upbeat response comes despite driving what has been the worst car on the grid for much of the year in the Williams and though he has also driven the Force India and Mercedes, he refrained from making any comparisons.

“It’s difficult to judge because obviously every Formula 1 car is very different and I’ve only experienced 2018 tyres with a Mercedes and a Force India,” he claimed.

“I think Robert [Kubica] will have more feedback when he jumps in the car this afternoon.”

The Briton also revealed his first experience as a race driver rather than as a reserve also brought with it a lot more freedom with the team.

"I have more input to give what I would like for next season, whereas before with Mercedes or Force India, we were there to do exact test items and get the most out for the team,” Russell explained.

“This is a bit of both, and it’s really good for me to understand just little things like the seat, the steering wheel, just to see how I like it and anything I want to change.”

Nico Rosberg believes Ferrari need to work on their "team cohesion" suggesting the inability to properly back Sebastian Vettel hurt their championship bid.

Whereas Mercedes went all in on Lewis Hamilton for much of 2018, the Scuderia opted not to use Kimi Raikkonen as a support driver to Vettel with some speculation the Finn was also unwilling to help.

Either way, Rosberg pointed to that lack of support as a key differentiator between the title contenders which ultimately hurt their lead driver.

"They made so many strategy mistakes, also in team cohesion," said the 2016 world champion to Germany's Bild am Sonntag.

"It was weird because Ferrari always led the way with team orders, but as a driver, if you feel that you do not have full support, it can affect you in your mind and your focus.

"If you do not agree with your team - and in Sebastian's case rightly so - it is difficult."

Also Read:

• Vettel admits he and Ferrari have room for improvement in 2019
• VIDEO: Hamilton & Vettel swap helmets post-Abu Dhabi
• Vettel targets "stronger" 2019 after following Hamilton to P2 in Abu Dhabi

Loking forward to next season, however, Rosberg is expecting another challenge from Maranello and backs Vettel to remain a strong contender.

"Basically, Ferrari just needs to continue in 2019," Nico claimed. "They managed to build a brilliant car. On that basis, I trust them that they will come back very strongly from the winter break.

"I don't see 2019 as Sebastian's last chance. It's just another chance," he added.

"He had a tough year and took a lot of criticism, but it was exactly the same situation for me in 2015. Lewis drove perfectly and I made mistakes.

"What's important is that you build up the confidence again, and Sebastian can do that. He's still one of the best drivers out there."

The FIA does have the ability to introduce new regulations into Formula 1 in 2021 without the agreement from teams, it has been confirmed.

Currently, the governing body, owners Liberty Media, teams and other stakeholders are locked in talks to shape a new set to rules as part of a new Concorde Agreement which would come into effect in just over two years time.

While that is not in place, however, it gives the FIA free reign without the backing of the various groups which currently decide the regulations as is the case with the new 18-inch wheels which are being introduced.

“That’s part of the regulation package for 2021,” race director Charlie Whiting told RaceFans. “It doesn’t have to go through the Formula One commission because it’s for 2021.”

Asked if that meant the FIA had freedom on all regulations with a new car, tweaks to the weekend format and a budget cap among ideas being discussed but yet to be agreed.

“We have – there’s no need for regulations to go through the Strategy Group because that governance expires. We don’t have a new one yet,” Whiting replied.

Also Read:

• Hamilton wants greater driver involvement in shaping 2021 F1 rules
• Ferrari CEO accepts a budget cap in F1 "makes sense"
• Porsche & Lamborghini rule out 2021 F1 entry as engine suppliers

Continuing the point on the 18-inch rims he added: "It’s part of the package that we are putting together with FOM [Liberty].

“The separate matter of whether or not it needs to go to the F1 Commission, it doesn’t, strictly speaking, because there is no government beyond 2020. There probably will be an F1 Commission but it might be a different one.”

Currently, all proposed rule changes would only have to go through the FIA's World Motor Sport Council.

Charles Leclerc ended the Pirelli tyre test as the quickest driver across the two days in Abu Dhabi after leading on his Ferrari debut on Wednesday.

The Monegasque posted a 1m36.450s using the 2019-spec Hypersoft tyre (or Compound 5 as it's now known), which was almost four-tenths up on Sebastian Vettel's best from Tuesday on the 2018-spec pink-striped rubber.

On the day, it was enough to lead Pierre Gasly on his Red Bull debut by 1.4 seconds as the Frenchman settled in to his new surroundings.

Lance Stroll was third as he completed a full day inside the Force India ahead of Valtteri Bottas who did likewise in the Mercedes.

Carlos Sainz was fifth on his first day at McLaren ahead of Renault development driver Artem Markelov as the Russian benefitted from Daniel Ricciardo being unable to test with his new team for next season.

Williams were the only team to split their day between both their drivers and once again F2 champion George Russell held the advantage over Robert Kubica with four-tenths between the new teammates.

The Grove-based squad was also the only one not to complete 100 laps on Wednesday managing just 94 when the next lowest total was 117.

Daniil Kvyat made his return in the Toro Rosso in eighth and would match Sean Gelael's total of 155 laps on Wednesday, meaning the Honda-powered team comfortably led the distance covered chart.

Haas turned to F2 racer Louis Deletraz for the second day with the Swiss ninth quickest ahead of Kubica as Antonio Giovinazzi completed the timings on his first day back at Sauber.

A full list of the times, laps and tyres used over the past two days can be seen below:

Brendon Hartley is hoping for a second chance in Formula 1 having felt he ended 2018 "much stronger" than he started.

On Monday, the Kiwi's exit from Toro Rosso was confirmed as Alexander Albon was announced alongside Daniil Kvyat, completing the grid for next season.

Knowing that the writing was on the wall, Hartley looked back on his stint which began at the 2017 US Grand Prix and saw him score just four points along the way.

“Obviously I feel like I have unfinished business in Formula 1,” he said. “I’ve finished the season much stronger than I started.

“I had some tough times, a lot of pressure put on and I think I reacted well and I’ve come out the end of the season a much stronger individual, driver, and really happy with my progression through the season.

“I haven’t always had opportunities to score points, sometimes outside of my control, definitely some missed opportunities in the beginning, but I’ve been a good team player all year and I know I’ve very much contributed to the performance.”

Toro Rosso team boss Franz Tost believed Hartley's final race in Abu Dhabi somewhat summed up the main issue he has had, transitioning from years of experience in WEC to the unique demands of F1.

"Of course it wasn’t easy to come here from LMP1, it’s always a challenge to get familiar with everything in F1 and especially tyre management is a big task to cope with," he claimed.

“Brendon started the race on the Ultrasofts as we decided to put him on an alternate strategy to Pierre [Gasly]. Unfortunately, he was caught in the middle of the first lap accident in Turn 8, so we had to call him in to change his front wing much earlier than planned.

“Then he started to struggle with his rear tyres because of overheating and he ended up finishing in 12th position, out of the points."