Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes, Silverstone, 2020

Hamilton takes over as Mercedes continue test at damp Silverstone

2020 F1 season

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Lewis Hamilton has returned to the wheel of a Formula 1 car for the first time since pre-season testing as Mercedes continues running at Silverstone.

The track was damp as the test began earlier today. Hamilton has taken over from team mate Valtteri Bottas in the W09 chassis the team is running at the track which will hold the British and 70th Anniversary grands prix this year.

Mercedes is taking advantage of F1 rules which allow teams to conduct tests with two-year-old cars in order to practice its procedures for participating in races which are held behind closed doors. Team members including Hamilton are wearing personal protective equipment including face masks and gloves.

“For all of us racers it’s just the right atmosphere to see the car in action and hear the engine roar,” said team principal Toto Wolff yesterday.

This article will be updated.

Pictures: Lewis Hamilton testing at Silverstone

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Keith Collantine
Lifelong motor sport fan Keith set up RaceFans in 2005 - when it was originally called F1 Fanatic. Having previously worked as a motoring...

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6 comments on “Hamilton takes over as Mercedes continue test at damp Silverstone”

  1. It’s great to see Mercedes doing these tests, and it’s great to see Lewis back in action. I would have expected all the other teams to be wanting to do something like this, because this is how Championships are won.

    1. @drycrust You would of thought Racing Point would be doing this as well, since they are just across the road from the track? Unless they are doing it later in the month.

      1. I imagine most teams will complete a shakedown this month.

      2. @drycrust @ijw1 Racing Point will have a filming day with their current car next week, Autosport wrote today, plus Ferrari is also planning a test with a 2018 car according to news last week. There are still a few weeks until the first race so probably a few more teams will give it a go.

        1. My current guess is Racing Point are the F1.5 team to beat. Maybe they think testing a car for two days is a bit overkill, but I think it’s what you’d expect from a team that is desperate to win.

  2. The car looks so much better in this livery. A real improvement there.

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