The arrival of Ricciardo and the confirmation of the 31-year-old Hulkenberg represents a considerable guarantee for Renault. Without a doubt, in fact, this is one of the best line-ups in the World Championship: Daniel’s speed and overtaking ability and Nico’s constancy. Now that the pair is made, there’s only one thing to figure out, that is to say, understanding how much the work done by the engineers in Enstone can pay off. Once the presentation is finished, Nico Hulkenberg, declares:
"As a team we have grown a lot since the beginning of 2017. It's all part of the path we have to walk to achieve our goals. When I arrived, the team was still young, but since that day we have made a lot of progress. I want to give my best and be able to get as much as possible out of the car. What matters, as a team, is to continue on this path and constantly push forward the development".
However, everybody is waiting for Daniel Ricciardo. Comparing his new environment to the one he left after five years at Red Bull, he immediately made the French smile:
"From what I've seen, there's really nothing missing here. I bet I'll know more when I get in the car, but I've seen many positive things so far. I came here in December and everyone was very busy. They worked hard all winter and that's the first good thing I noticed. I know a lot of people didn't even go on vacation. Their dedication should be rewarded. Since 2016, Renault has made big strides, although making the leap from fourth to third is not so easy. But if Red Bull beats us in Melbourne, I won't be disappointed, because I simply moved down a different path. However, I'm not going to stay in fourth place forever".
The next day, the new Mercedes is presented: the Anglo-German team shows the first images of the W10, and then takes the single-seater on track at Silverstone for a shakedown behind closed doors. The team that has dominated the last five years of the Formula 1 World Championship will try to conquer its sixth consecutive success relying on the British driver Lewis Hamilton, reigning World Champion, and the Finnish driver Valtteri Bottas. The philosophy of the car does not change much, even though Mercedes is doing the same work as Ferrari in 2018 on the high radiators. Very narrow rear end and very high bellies characterize the new W10, as well as the front arm that is very raised, while the nose remains unchanged, with pylons. New, simpler front wing and higher rear wing complete the new W10.
"2019 will be a new challenge for all of us. The rules have changed substantially. We have to start over and test ourselves again to exceed our own expectations and our rivals’. We all start from zero points, so nothing is given, even less with the new rules. We will only focus on ourselves and on building performance, hoping to be ready and competitive from the very first race in Australia".
Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff admits:
"I am looking forward to doing, with Mercedes, what has never been done before".
Lewis Hamilton says, referring to the sixth driver-constructor double in the team's sights for 2019, after the ten titles won in the last five years:
"It will be my seventh year with the team, but there is certainly no lack of stimulation and determination within the team. Driving the new car is like getting to know someone for the first time: you can't wait to learn about everything".
Valtteri Bottas, looking for redemption after a dull 2018, states:
"I received some criticism last season, but for me it's just a positive push to make me do better. The car has changed a bit due to the change in regulations, so it will be interesting to see how it performs. I can't wait to get started".
After that, the team performs a 100-kilometer shakedown to check that all systems, electrical and mechanical, are working aboard the W10, with the Finnish driver on board. After the Silver Arrows, Red Bull shows its new car to the world. On the English circuit of Silverstone, the RB15 completes its first laps with Max Verstappen and newcomer Pierre Gasly at the wheel. Honda is the engine supplier. The new livery, defined as a special edition (or, in other words, provisional: the team from Milton Keynes prefers to carry out pre-season tests with cars with particularly garish and almost camouflaged liveries, to camouflage as much as possible any aerodynamic innovations), is red and black, with the Aston Martin logo appearing on the sides of the cockpit and above the nose.
"The RB15 takes the team into a new era thanks to the power of the Honda engine and the exciting driver pairing".
This is what they say at Red Bull commenting on the first images, shown on Twitter, of the car that will participate in the 2019 World Championship. Max Verstappen is the first to take it to the track.
"Goals? I suppose until Australia no goals can be set. We're a bit blind. In Formula 1 it all depends on the package you have available, but I'll try to do my best as always. We have a new partner, Honda, and we expect a lot. We are all very positive but I think we will need time. Certainly, everything cannot be perfect from the first race. There will be times when we will make mistakes as a team or things won’t go our way. But I think the most important thing as a team is that, with Honda, we push hard to improve the development. At the moment I am very optimistic but also realistic. I think only time can tell us what level we are at".
In the meantime, straight from the Canadian International AutoShow in Toronto, the new president Lawrence Stroll takes the wraps off the new Racing Point, which takes the place of Force India in the Formula 1 World Championship. The line-up of the team - which will retain its operational headquarters in Silverstone - is made of the Mexican Sergio Perez, with the team since last year, and the boss's son, the Canadian Lance Stroll, coming from Williams. The presentation begins at 10:00 a.m.. The single-seater maintains the pink colour, but the wings and the engine hood show the blue of the sponsor SportPesa.
"A young, dynamic and growing company, with values in line with our vision: becoming a team capable of competing for the top positions. We are proud to have such an ambitious partner with us, that will help us achieve our mission as a team".
These are the team principal Otmar Szafnauer’ words.
"We are delighted to join the big Formula 1 family. This partnership is very important for us because it creates diversification into new territories and it allows us to reach new audiences around the world, while staying true to our mission of building and developing amateur and professional sports in the countries where we operate, bringing new opportunities to local communities".
The show starts on time with a film introducing the team's mission and the new sponsor and it’s hosted by David Croft, the historic voice of the Formula 1 broadcaster for BBC and Sky. The first people to take the stage are team principal Otmar Szafnauer and technical director Andrew Green. Szafnauer captivates the Canadian audience by telling an anecdote from his childhood:
"I grew up in Detroit, so our accents are similar. Moreover, when I was nineteen years old, I used to cross the bridge to reach Canada and buy alcohol here, because the limit was twenty-one years old in the USA...".
Sergio Perez and Lance Stroll take the stage shortly after.
"It's a special day, we can't wait to get started. We intensely want to go to the next level and show what we can do. We prepared physically and technically. We know how much work they did in the factory. With Lance everything is fine, it's nice to have a driver of his talent in the team, he pushes you to improve".
The Mexican driver explains, while Lance Stroll, excited about the event at home, adds:
"We have recharged our energies during summer, we just want to get started. I've known Sergio for a long time. Racing with him will be great. It's a new chapter and an exciting journey. Being here is a dream come true".
The single-seater looks very similar to the 2018 one, and many parts are the same as last season so as not to reveal its secrets. The final version will be seen on track in Barcelona.
"We've been working hard over the winter, hopefully the car will be fast right away as soon as we put it on track. After the excellent last season, we had even more pressure: we aim for podiums and taking advantage of opportunities".
The team's technical director, Andrew Green, admits:
"I love the colour combination. We are ready for a good season".
Perez, while Stroll jokes, adds:
"Can I get on now and go for a ride on the streets out here?"
On Thursday, February 14th, 2019 the unveiling of the new McLaren MCL34 takes place, with the new drivers, Spaniard Carlos Sainz Jr. and Briton Lando Norris. On Valentine's Day, a new McLaren story is born with the renewed pair of drivers. This is the first car after Fernando Alonso, who has (perhaps momentarily) left the Circus after the last difficult seasons, mostly because of the Honda engine vicissitudes. The unveiling is held in the Woking headquarters in England: the MCL34 is equipped with the Renault E-Tech 19 engine, while the livery continues to show off the iconic papaya colour, echoing the one chosen by Bruce McLaren for the first Formula 1 Grand Prix in 1966. Zak Brown, McLaren Racing CEO, states:
"We have a new pair of drivers, who represent the next generation of Formula 1 talent. They are an integral part of the team in our collective effort to move McLaren forward".
James Kay, picked up by Zak Brown from Red Bull, where he worked until last season, explains:
"The MCL34 is the result of the immense hard work and dedication of everyone at McLaren. We have a pair of new drivers who represent the talent of the future. Our family will continue to grow thanks to its many fans who have remained loyal despite difficult times, and I want to thank them before starting this 2019 season that we are sure will be full of progress".
Carlos Sainz Jr. admits, joking with Norris:
"I like the new car, the colours. My new partner? I'll tell you in a couple of months if I like him or not. I've been following the work very closely this winter. I think the team has done a great job, the factory has been my second home, I've gotten to know everyone in the team and we're all rowing in the same direction".
Lastly, Lando Norris adds:
"I can't wait to get in the car, it's a whole different thing compared to Formula 2. This is the next level. Now we're going to Barcelona. I've worked hard all winter to prepare for the category jump to Formula 1 and spent a lot of time in the factory learning a lot of things".
On Friday, February 15th, 2019, at the presentation of the new SF90, which celebrates Ferrari’s 90th birthday, the most asked question in Maranello is: will it be the good one? The last team to present their 2019 car is therefore Ferrari, and the answer to Mercedes is in the 670 project, made under the new regulations that have imposed changes especially to the front and rear wings, both enlarged. The SF90 is the sixth car of the hybrid generation of Formula 1 that began in 2014: from an aesthetic point of view, we notice a less bright red hue, black inserts and simple lines, especially in the front wing to go along with the new regulatory rules on aerodynamics.
"I would like to welcome everyone on this special day, thank our many guests and sponsors, government representatives and the press. Piero Ferrari has seen so many presentations, more than us, all together. The car we will see in a moment is the result of the great work of all the talents working at Ferrari. This year is very important for us because we're celebrating the 90th anniversary of Scuderia Ferrari, founded in Modena in 1929. We are well aware of the enormous responsibility that our glorious history entails and we understand the great expectations on us. We represent the pride of a nation, we have millions of fans all over the world, and we accept this responsibility with joy, trusting in the talent of the men and women who work to make our ambition a reality. The last season was the best in the last ten years but we failed to reach the ultimate goal. It is not easy to overcome this situation but we have continued working with commitment and determination".
This is the comment of Ferrari's CEO, Louis Camilleri, who also thanks Maurizio Arrivabene and Kimi Raikkonen for their work, and welcomes Mattia Binotto:
"I have great confidence in him, I know he will lead the team to even greater success. We are privileged to have two extraordinary drivers. Vettel, despite his four titles, is always hungry for victories and I know he is firmly determined to achieve our ambitions. He will be flanked by Charles Leclerc: he has got great talent and has already shown his ability, maturity and speed. We are confident that he has a bright future ahead of him".
Ferrari president John Elkann, instead, states:
"I would like to dwell briefly on what has already been said: being Ferrari is something special, unique. The history of this team began ninety years ago thanks to the tenacity of our founder Enzo Ferrari. Driven by passion, he founded a team that has always pushed to meet challenges and be at the forefront. Being Ferrari means being a team and Mattia, who has been here for twenty-five years, knows very well how important it is to collaborate all together. This is what it means to be Ferrari. The pride of a team that manages to unite an entire country and that represents the best of Italy, for its desire for invention, innovation and initiative, with its Ferrari red heart. For this reason, it is very important that all our fans stay close to us and make us feel their affection, because we are beginning an important season and a decade that will take us towards the hundred years. And for this reason, we need to win all together".
During the presentation, Mattia Binotto, team principal and technical director, explains and reassures that it is still the same red, with one less coat of paint to lighten the car:
"The livery? I prefer focusing on the less visible parts, which are more important. Starting from 2018, we got some very good results, and this car is an evolution of last year's car. So, it is not revolutionary: we simply tried to evolve to achieve even better results. We've worked on the front end. The regulations have changed and so the nose is a little bit different. Going into the details, you'll see that we tried to push a lot on innovation. The rear is very tapered, thanks to the great work under the body, with the installation of the power unit and the attention on all the components, and that's why we see such a result. Our driver pair is a dream: they are the best in Formula 1 today and we are very proud to have them with us".
Then, speaking about the event, he states:
"Definitely a special day, I am very excited, but also proud. Proud of our team, of leading Scuderia Ferrari and, most importantly, of carrying on Enzo Ferrari's dream: this is the reason why we are here. The team principal role? I look ahead, there is not much to think about, we simply have to work as best as we can".
He continues:
"Being Ferrari is something unique. In this sense, we are unique, nobody is like us. Being Ferrari is passion, determination, belonging, integrity, courage, competition, excellence. We could go on and on. Being Ferrari has to do with traditions; as we know, the Scuderia is ninety years old. We are proud to be part of it, but perhaps, even more so, we have a duty. A duty to continue the tradition of this Scuderia and our Founder. For all of us who work at Ferrari, this duty becomes a mission".
So, talking about testing, the team principal admits:
"Testing starts in a week. The Australian Grand Prix is in twenty-seven days, so we have time. Of course, we are not quite ready yet, but we still have some time. We have to work hard. We are all focused and eager to start. In 2018, we didn't win the title, but there are many positive aspects. For example, I think of the Australian Grand Prix with a great strategy that led to Sebastian's victory, but also the Austrian Grand Prix, with Sebastian's overtaking with two wheels on the grass. I don't think there are many drivers who can do this kind of manoeuvre, so chapeau to Sebastian. We expect more of these manoeuvres in the future. Then I think about Silverstone, where we won after many years. A success there is always special, because it's a very demanding circuit for the car and the tires. In Monza we didn't win, but we had a very good car, we got the first row in qualifying, then the fastest lap. In Brazil we got the fastest pit stop in history, under two seconds, so congratulations to our mechanics. Three words to sum up 2018? Efficiency, power and team".
While Sebastian Vettel confesses:
"We all are very excited. We have already seen some components at the end of last season. Unfortunately, I don't have a suit and I cannot put myself immediately in the cockpit. However, we are really excited and I can't wait to start. It's nice to see the fruit of the work of the whole team. Relations with Charles and Mattia? Things are off to a good start, everyone is playing their role: Mattia has been part of this team for many years, he's been here longer than anyone else, except for Piero probably. With Charles, it will be a new way of working together; it is a very important step for him. I know he is very excited. I can't wait to get started and I believe that we are on the right track as a team. We hope to continue improving".
The German champion will be flanked by Charles Leclerc, the Monegasque driver - just 21 years old - who is in his second year in Formula 1, his first at the wheel of a Ferrari. But, with the Maranello team, it is a long-standing love: in fact, Leclerc had joined the Ferrari Driver Academy's forge of talents back in 2017, and to date he is the first driver to come out of the prestigious sports program to be chosen to drive Ferrari in Formula 1.
"I'm very excited about this new adventure, I've always hoped to get into a Ferrari. I grew up in the FDA, which tremendously helped me to grow as a driver with the ultimate goal of driving this car. I made it and I am very proud today and can't wait to get going. I'm not nervous to race with Sebastian, it's a great opportunity for me and I can learn a lot from him. I'm sure it will be an exciting season. The key will be working together. I'm sure we will make it. I'm sure it will be an incredible season".
At Maranello, détente is in the air, or at least that is the message intended to convey. On the day the new creature is revealed to the world, the 65th in the history of Maranello in its 90th year, everyone expresses positive concepts, from John Elkann to Louis Carey Camilleri: family, unity, team, tradition, excellence, pride, team spirit. These are not casual words: winter has been a source of reflection for Scuderia Ferrari, a general rethinking of every strategy. On Monday, February 18th, 2019 in Barcelona, the first outing is more than positive for the new Ferrari SF90 brought to debut by Sebastian Vettel. In the first day of pre-season testing, the German driver completes 169 laps, that is almost two and a half Spanish Grand Prix, without showing any sign of problems and getting the best time of the day in 1'18"161.
As usual, the Maranello team has decided to divide the work of its drivers at the wheel of the new single-seater, alternating them, while in Mercedes they prefer to let both Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas test the new W10. The Finn tests in the morning, completing 69 laps with a best time of 1'20"127, eighth of the day, ahead of his team mate who completes 81 laps in the afternoon, resulting eight thousandths slower. Different work, then, for the two top teams, with Red Bull aiming to get into the fight for the title, bringing Max Verstappen on track. If Kimi Raikkonen unveils (along with Antonio Giovinazzi) the new Alfa Romeo in Barcelona and then walks off the track, on the other hand, Sebastian Vettel completes all his laps at Montmeló with the new Ferrari and struggles to contain his contentment.
"We couldn't have hoped for a better day. It was incredible, I think the car went really well. We weren't slowed down by any unforeseen events. We completed the intense program we had planned and went even further".
Ferrari's new course is taking more and more shape, according to the wishes and expectations of the men from Maranello. Vettel's post-test words are surprising, considering the German's proverbial caution:
"I went out on track. I tried and pushed, and everything came in easy. Obviously, we're talking about the very first feedback, and what we say today won't make sense in a couple of weeks, but at the moment I think I have to make a big compliment to everyone who worked in the factory in Maranello for how they were able to interpret the rules. For once, it's nicer to look at home and be able to say that. On the first test day of the year, we were very close to perfection. Not just the performance, but the number of laps completed and how the team managed the car: everything worked. Everything has been improved compared to last year's car".
Speaking of Charles Leclerc, the German driver admits:
"Charles will be a real rival. If he's in this team, it's because he deserves to be here, so I'll have to take him very seriously. In general, there is always a great rivalry with your teammate, but the number one priority is to make the team grow. I'm sure he'll be fast and put me under pressure, so we'll see how it goes".
McLaren, Haas, Red Bull and the two Alfa Romeos follow. Only eighth and ninth chrono for Mercedes, with Hamilton preferring a softer return, to regain confidence. The next days will tell if the Anglo-German team wanted to hide its potential. On Tuesday, February 19th, 2019 Antonio Giovinazzi tests the new Alfa Romeo Racing in the second day of testing at Montmelò. The previous day, it was the turn of teammate Kimi Raikkonen, who finished with a promising fifth time overall. The Italian, who is already in perfect harmony with the Finn, admits:
"Kimi will be my point of reference".
Those who have seen them together say that Raikkonen has rarely been as nice and funny as when he is next to Giovinazzi. Kimi and him lifted the veil of the Alfa Romeo in Barcelona, making it the latest single-seater to appear before the eyes of Formula 1 fans.
"It's a dream come true".
These were Giovinazzi's first words when he learned, in recent months, that he had been entrusted a steering wheel in the Circus. His dreamer's eyes were clearly visible even on Monday, while dozens of cameras immortalized him wearing Alfa's red and white suit and with the C38 of the historic Italian brand next to him. Naturally, more than a pinch of emotion, also because after eight years he will bring back the tricolour in Formula 1. In fact, he had broken the expectation two years earlier with two appearances as a substitute with Sauber: he did very well when he finished twelfth, but in China he ended up twice in the wall, in the same place, both in qualifying and during the race.
"I knew very well that my chances to stay in Formula 1 were very few and for the first time I felt I had lost any chance. I was not happy with myself. I could have shown a lot more. I stayed stuck, still trying to improve myself, and I'm happy that today that work has paid off. But I am aware that the role of driver in Alfa Romeo Racing is above all a starting point. I will have to show on track that I have deserved this exceptional opportunity".
Giovinazzi showed all his talent by finishing second in the Formula 2 championship, behind Frenchman Gasly. Since then, many fans, especially from his native Martina Franca, have been traveling around Europe to cheer on him. It’s the classic story of a dream come true, even though he does not have a millionaire family behind him as it happens for other young Formula 1 talents. It’s the classic story of the boy who made it on his own, conquering those results on the field. The intuition of his father, who gave him his first kart when he was three years old, turned out to be successful, even though little Antonio cried the first time because he didn't feel at ease. But the very next day, things went much better and, since then, Giovinazzi has cherished the dream that is now reality. But, in Barcelona, the first pre-season tests still see an extremely competitive Ferrari: after Sebastian Vettel, who proves everybody right with his time of 1'18"161 on Monday, it's Charles Leclerc's turn. The young Monegasque driver, at the end of Day2 collects an excellent 1'18"247, less than a tenth from his new teammate.
"I'm very happy with today’s balance. Despite some red flags - neutralization caused by Pierre Gasly's exit from the track - we were able to complete the planned program and run 157 laps in which we have collected many useful data. In terms of sensations, I felt good right from the start on the SF90, and I must say that I had a lot of fun".
As far as Mercedes is concerned, Valtteri Bottas sets 1'19"535 in the afternoon, while Lewis Hamilton sets 1'19"928 in the morning. Highlight of the day, such as on day one, is McLaren, with the young Lando Norris, who, in the final minutes of the session, improves by five thousandths Carlos Sainz’s performance obtained on Monday. Despite the problems with the seat of his Haas, Kevin Magnussen laps in 1'19"208, half a tenth off Grosjean's best lap. Space also for his grandson Fittipaldi. The Williams box is still empty: the British team says that the car transporter with the new car should arrive at the Circuit de Catalunya at night. The first laps on track, probably, will be done after the lunch break, since the whole morning should be used to set the car up before giving it to Robert Kubica. On Wednesday, February 20th, 2019 the best time obtained in the morning by Kimi Raikkonen holds up almost until the end of the afternoon session of the third day of testing at Montmelò. But, ten minutes from the end, Daniil Kvyat, with his Toro Rosso, stops the clock on 1'17"704, overtaking for a handful of tenths the 1'17"762 marked by the Finnish with the Alfa Romeo. In his record lap, Kvyat uses tires with C5 compound, the softest. Third time for Daniel Ricciardo’s Renault (1'18"164, with C4 compound), followed by Sebastian Vettel’s Ferrari (1'18"350 and 134 laps completed in total) and Max Verstappen's Red Bull (1'18"787). Also, the first laps of the Williams FW42 to be recorded: twenty-three in total, with George Russell at the wheel during the afternoon.
Twelfth for Lewis Hamilton: the British driver hits the track after the lunch break and he simulates a Grand Prix in race trim, completing a total of 94 laps. With the 82 laps completed by Bottas in the morning (eleventh time for him), Mercedes completes 182 laps in one day. Ferrari, still stronger and more competitive, is in summary Lewis Hamiton’s thought after three days of testing in Barcelona:
"Ferrari is very strong right now. They are also accumulating a lot of mileage and they seem to have a better package than last year, which means the challenge for us will be even more difficult this year. But in recent seasons, at the beginning of the year, Ferrari has always appeared strong, so we expected that".
And speaking about Mercedes' work, the British driver admits:
"We are just going our own way. Everyone is working very hard and I'm not worried about anything at the moment. I’m just trying to focus on our work. This is not the time to focus on others. We are trying to raise the bar in all areas. It was really impressive to see the atmosphere within the team after all these years of success. The guys told me it was probably the most difficult winter since the rules have changed again".
Sebastian Vettel comments, on the third day of testing in Barcelona:
"With 303 laps under our belt, I feel like saying that we are satisfied with how the development of the car is going. It was great to get back in the car today and grind out more kilometres. The day was very intense but we are happy because we completed our program, which included some new elements compared to Monday".
On Thursday, February 21st, 2019 puts an end to the first four days of winter testing at the Montmelò circuit, ahead of the season's start in Australia at Melbourne's Albert Park on March 17th, 2019. With a Ferrari that appeared very competitive and a Mercedes careful not to show its potential, Toro Rosso with the Thai driver Alexander Albon (at the top of the timesheets for most of the day) takes the scene in the last day of the first session, replaced then by Nico Hulkenberg’s Renault, who sets the best overall time in 1'17"393. Times obtained by both drivers with the softest tire (C5). In fourth and fifth position, the two Mercedes drivers, who split the work; this time, Valtteri Bottas beats Lewis Hamilton, setting the best time even if he runs less laps: thirty-four for the Finnish driver, against the fifty-eight of the English. The march of the Ferrari driven by Charles Leclerc continues, the driver completing more than 130 laps and setting the sixth best time (1'18"046), while the Italian driver Antonio Giovinazzi with his Alfa Romeo Sauber ends behind the Monegasque with the seventh best time and 154 laps completed.
"My first sensations are very positive. I think that after many months I was able to drive fast. It was a dream come true for me. I'm driving one of the most beautiful cars in the world. Kimi is the best possible partner for me in my first year as a starter".
The fourth day of testing at the circuit, about thirty kilometres away from Barcelona, was also an opportunity to wish all the best to Niki Lauda, honorary president of Mercedes, who is recovering from the aftermath of a delicate operation on his lungs. Lauda, given to be improving in the Montmelò paddock (even though he will not even be in Melbourne for the first Grand Prix of the year), will turn seventy on Friday, February 22nd, 2019, and Bottas publicly dedicates a thought to him:
"I wish him all the best. He is a myth and a good man with a rich sense of humour. I phoned him to wish him all the best and I hope to see him back on track soon".
Meanwhile, with a complaint to the Antitrust Authority and the Ministry of Health, the Mission Winnow logo appears on the new Ferrari SF90: the National Union of Consumers signs, asking to ascertain the regularity and compliance with current regulations, as explained by Massimiliano Dona, president of the association. The reason? It is a Philip Morris logo and it is not the first time that it is used in motorsport to advertise the sale of tobacco. As Niki Lauda celebrates his birthday, Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas are Petronas guests at the Santena plant in Turin, Italy, on Friday, February 22nd, 2019. The two Mercedes drivers are not scared after the Barcelona tests, in which the team did not seem to care about the fastest lap.
"Testing is testing, we are still trying everything and no one is focusing on times but on understanding the car, the performance, the engineering system and how long tires last. We will face the same things as every year: new tires, new vehicle. There is a lot to work on. It's not that relevant how fast we go right now. What matters is how fast we go in Q3 in the first race".
The speed shown by the new Ferrari SF90 with both Vettel and Leclerc does not worry Hamilton.
"I don't look at what others are doing. I focus on my own work. They do things their way and we do ours. And it worked great in the past. I don't need to know if another driver is quick because it's irrelevant. At the moment, then, we are ahead of them - I don't know if by half a second. The numbers in this testing period don’t mean much".
Bottas adds:
"In the first tests, Ferrari seemed more ready, ahead of us, but it's only the first days and we know we can improve the car. We have work to do, but the sensations are positive. We need to improve some aspects, to find a good balance".
Regarding the title fight, the two Mercedes drivers have no doubts:
"We aim to repeat. I don't think this year will be a head-to-head between Vettel and I".
Hamilton points out:
"There are at least six drivers that can fight for victory".
Obviously including Verstappen and Gasly’s Red Bulls, in addition to Ferrari. And, as for Niki Lauda's birthday, the British driver admits:
"I wished him a happy birthday on social media and then talked to him a lot with FaceTime. I think the path to recovery is quite long and it's not very easy, with ups and downs. But he is incredibly motivated, he has a big heart and I think the whole team misses him. Lauda is relevant to this this team. He always gives great advice".