LEWIS HAMILTON took a cheeky peek at Max Verstappen’s new Red Bull car as Formula One’s pre-season testing got underway this morning.
The seven-time world champion is looking to wrestle his title back from Verstappen this year to capture a record eighth.
Lewis Hamilton takes a look at Max Verstappen’s Red Bull
Hamilton, 38, peers in for a closer look
Red Bull enter the season as the team to beat, having dominated the last campaign on the way to a constructors’ and drivers’ championship double.
With all 10 teams’ new motors on track together for the first time for the Bahrain session, it’s customary for drivers to have a peek at the opposition.
And Lewis, 38, couldn’t help but have a little look at what Verstappen has under the bonnet.
Joined by ex-team-mate Valtteri Bottas, now of Alfa Romeo, and Haas’ Kevin Magnussen – Hamilton checked out the competition.
While he wanted to get a closer look at Red Bull’s latest effort during testing, Hamilton seems to be happy with Mercedes‘ new W14.
Upon its launch, he said: “I have been a part of this team for over a decade and the efforts of everyone never cease to amaze me.
“I find it inspiring how diligently and passionately each person approaches their work.”
Hamilton also denied that his team would ever try and copy Red Bull… despite what others may be doing.
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Hamilton checks out the rest of the grid
Verstappen later got behind the wheel of his new car for the testing session
He said: “Of course you can see that some of the cars are approaching what a Red Bull might look like, perhaps with the exception of Ferrari.
“I don’t think we’ve ever been a team that copied other people.
“We’ve always had our own mind and have always been a team that’s incredibly creative and innovative and likes to do it our way. And I think that’s worked in the past.”
Hamilton’s boss Toto Wolff said: “Last year was difficult but it came with lots of learnings.
“I hope 2023 will be proof that we have understood how to unravel the problems and improve the package of the car.”
He then continued: “W13 certainly had performance which we never were able to unlock and put all its downforce on the ground.
“Our car performed very well at the end of the season.
“However, we still had the famous bouncing at some circuits and the car never gave the drivers good feedback, which limited them in being able to really push.
“We have tried to keep all the goodness of the W13 and address its weaknesses.”
Mercedes fans rejoiced during testing this morning, with the W14 not porpoising at all like its predecessor did.
Hamilton is ready for another crack at winning an eighth world championship
