Mercedes used George Russell for the entire first day of F1 pre-season testing on Wednesday. Russell completed 122 laps in two sessions, including a full race simulation in the afternoon.
Thursday was Lewis Hamilton’s turn.
The seven-time drivers’ champion completed a program that included both several one-lap runs and several different race stints, and when the checkered flag flew he finished third behind Ferrari’s Carlos Sainz Jr. on the timesheets. I got into the rank. Red Bull’s Sergio Perez. Hamilton, like Perez, set his best lap (1 minute 31.066 seconds) on a set of C3 medium tires. Sainz’s best time was recorded on the softer C4 compound, and Hamilton’s time on C3 was faster than Sainz’s best time of 1:31.397 on the same compound on Thursday.
How did Hamilton feel after the session?
“It was a productive day,” said the team’s driver. Report after practice. “We learned a lot about the W15 both on long runs and in single-lap work.”
The bigger question? How does he compare his W15 to its predecessor?
In Hamilton’s mind, the team has taken a step forward with the 2024 challenger.
“The car has clearly improved this year and drives much better,” Hamilton added. “Of course we still need progress. But this is a good foundation for us to develop further.”
Hamilton’s comments come at the start of what will be his final season with the team. Ahead of pre-season testing, Hamilton shocked the F1 world with the news that he would be joining Ferrari for the 2024 season. Hamilton’s decision to leave the team at the end of 2024 will be a major undercurrent to the entire season, a number that will define F1’s chaotic ‘Stupid Season’.
Still, Mercedes fans will be hoping his comments about the W15 portend a great final season with the Silver Arrows.
