With Pirelli replacing Bridgestone as F1's official tire supplier next season, the teams were given special dispensation to hold a two-day test using the new rubber.

Paffett was in action for McLaren on the opening morning on Friday, completing 49 laps of the Yas Marina circuit with a best time of 1:41.588, which put him fifth on the timesheets.

However, the two-day test is aimed more towards evaluating the Pirelli rubber, rather than seeing who is quickest.

And the first verdict is already out courtesy of Paffett.

"First half a day over and pretty good so far Pirelli tires seem to be working well and not too different from Bridgestone so a good start," he Tweeted