Hamilton back in F1 action for Mercedes in Silverstone test
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Lewis Hamilton returned to the cockpit of Formula 1 machinery for the first time in four months on Wednesday as Mercedes continued its two day test run at a damp Silverstone. Mercedes has been conducting a two-day private test at the British Grand Prix venue in order to step up preparations for the heavily-delayed start to the new F1 season, which begins next month. The German manufacturer is using the opportunity to familiarise itself with F1’s new closed-event health and safety protocols that will be put in place when racing resumes at the Red Bull Ring in Austria on July 5. After teammate Valtteri Bottas had undertaken the first outing on Tuesday, Hamilton was reunited with the W09 he steered to the 2018 world championship title for his first F1 run since pre-season testing concluded in Barcelona at the end of February.Mercedes used its full race team to practice the new strict protocols, with all members observing social distancing where possible and wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) including face masks. The reigning world champion squad has completed a number of procedures over the past two days, including a full grid start which will be revised for the behind closed doors races to limit the amount of personnel on the grid prior to a grand prix. EaJDpN2WsAA5Dzq.jpeg accImages.createImage();Mercedes also carried out coronavirus tests for every team member and confirmed that all those present at Silverstone had tested native for COVID-19. A number of other teams including Ferrari are also expected to conduct similar warm-up tests over the coming days and weeks before the start of the new campaign, though McLaren has confirmed it will not be undertaking one. Testing of current cars is heavily restricted under F1’s regulations, so teams are using two-year-old cars in order to carry out as much mileage as they wish. ROLL OUT! @LewisHamilton behind the wheel of an @F1 car! Oh, how we’ve missed this!! Rqrljmy8UV— Mercedes-AMG F1 (@MercedesAMGF1) June 10, 2020
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