The 24-year-old Dutchman lapped the Circuit Paul Ricard in one minute 32.272 seconds on soft tyres, with Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz 0.354 slower after setting a scorching pace on Friday.

Sainz represents no threat to Verstappen, however, as the Spaniard has to start from the back of the grid due to engine penalties following his fiery retirement in Austria two weeks ago.

Ferrari’s Charles Leclerc, Verstappen’s closest title rival, was third fastest on the timesheets but a hefty 0.637 slower than the Red Bull driver who will be the favourite for pole position in later qualifying.

The Monegasque, who suffered a big spin, complained that his car’s soft tyres were “dead on the second lap. I don’t know why”.

Seven-times world champion Lewis Hamilton was fourth fastest for Mercedes with Verstappen’s teammate Sergio Perez fifth, but more than a second off in pace, and George Russell sixth for Mercedes.

Double world champion Fernando Alonso was seventh for Renault-owned Alpine with Alex Albon eighth in his upgraded Williams.