During the opening day of the Barcelona pre-season test, Lewis Hamilton was spotted on the pit walk trying to get a close look at his competition.
When the morning session commenced at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, the seven-time World Champion was not out in his Mercedes W13, but he was in the pit lane scouting his competitors.
The 36-year old will sample the W13 on the Barcelona track this afternoon marking the first time the Briton has sat behind the wheel of an F1 car since he missed out on an eighth championship in Abu Dhabi last year, except from a brief filming session at Silverstone.
It’s a thrilling time for each driver as they receive their first taste of their new car and see what the 2022 regulations have done to things like handling in preparation for the new season.
The pre-season test session also gives F1 drivers an opportunity to see what their rivals have been up to in the off-season, and Lewis Hamilton has certainly taken advantage of the opportunity to scout the opposition, primarily Red Bull.
Hamilton is aiming to win his seventh world championship this season after being controversially denied the title at the end of last year’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
The 2022 Formula One vehicles have all been presented in spec, which will almost certainly be similar to what we see in Bahrain for the inaugural Grand Prix next month.
The first test will take place in Barcelona, with three days of running planned at the Circuit de Catalunya.
