Lewis Hamilton, George Russell take Mercedes top of F1 testing
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton laid down an early marker ahead of the new Formula One season on Friday when he set the fastest time in pre-season testing in Barcelona.
With the track now dry, @LewisHamilton takes top spot on the timing screens
His time of 1:19.141 just pips team mate @GeorgeRussell63's morning effort ⏱#F1 pic.twitter.com/1nkUm73sxg
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 25, 2022
In a further boost for Mercedes, Hamilton’s new teammate George Russell came home in second place.
Reigning world champion Max Verstappen was fourth fastest, just behind Red Bull colleague Sergio Perez.
The silver cars top the table on our final day of running in Barcelona 🤝#F1 pic.twitter.com/xWvoAlYroz
— Formula 1 (@F1) February 25, 2022
Hamilton, controversially edged out for the 2021 title by Verstappen in the season finale in Abu Dhabi, clocked a best time of 1min 19.138 seconds.
Russell, who had topped the morning session, finished with a best of 1:19.233.
Having switched from Williams to Mercedes, Russell insisted the times meant little ahead of the new season which starts in Bahrain on March 20.