Paris (AFP)
Reigning Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton described his first laps in the 2020 Mercedes W11 as a "good start" on Friday at the British Silverstone circuit.
"The sensations were good, everything went well," he said in a video posted on Instagram.
"We will not really know before the winter tests (19-21 and 26-28 February in Barcelona, note) how good this machine is, how much we have progressed, continued the Briton. But that is not so far from our level of Abu Dhabi (during the last Grand Prix of 2019, which he won, editor's note), so it's a good start. "
"My first feeling is good. Everything worked well, it's a start. At this point, there is no problem with the car," added his Finnish teammate Valtteri Bottas on Twitter.
This first outing, limited by the regulations to 100 km, was the occasion for a debugging of the W11 and the shooting of images intended for the media.
Hamilton, who this year has his first opportunity to equal the record for seven world titles by German Michael Schumacher, says "not really feeling pressure at the moment" and "rather take advantage of the moment".
Asked about the identity of his main opponents this year, the 35-year-old only designated Bottas, who completed his best season in F1 by becoming vice-world champion last year.
He also swept the spades recently addressed by Dutchman Max Verstappen (Red Bull), who believes that Hamilton is "not God" "and can be beaten if he is under enough" pressure "." I always was the type to express myself on the track. I tend to see it (the reverse, note) as a sign of weakness, "replied the person.
Alfa Romeo Racing also released its 2020 car, the C39, "with success", according to a press release, Friday on the Italian circuit of Fiorano with behind the wheel the Finn Kimi Räikkönen.
The first Grand Prix of the season will take place on March 15 in Melbourne, Australia.
© 2020 AFP