Hamilton back behind the wheel in Jerez

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Day after last week’s media frenzy over his transfer from Mercedes to Ferrari in 2025, Lewis Hamilton made a quiet return to the track this week in Spain.

Jerez de la Frontera is the scene this week of Pirelli’s second tyre development two-day test to which both Mercedes and Aston Martin have been assigned.

Fortunately for Hamilton, Tuesday’s running took place – as is routinely the case for Pirelli’s test sessions – behind closed gates, which spared the seven-time world champion any media pressure and allowed him to take a measured step back in the driver’s seat.

Hamilton shared the track with Aston Martin’s Fernando Alonso, with both drivers running onboard their 2023 mounts.

Read also: Button questions what Mercedes ‘will hold back’ from Hamilton

According to veteran Spanish F1 reporter Albert Fabrega, Hamilton racked up 126 laps of Jerez’s 4.2 km track while Alonso accumulated 156 laps.

Pirelli typically uses the blind test format for its development sessions, meaning that teams and drivers are not aware of the type of compound they are running at any given time.

George Russell and Lance Stroll were scheduled to take over testing duties on Wednesday, the second and final day of the test.

As a reminder, Aston Martin will pull the covers off its 2024 contender next Monday, on February 12 while Mercedes will unveil its W15 – the car it hopes will carry it back to the front of the grid – two days later, on February 14.

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Phillip van Osten

Motor racing was a backdrop from the outset in Phillip van Osten's life. Born in Southern California, Phillip grew up with the sights and sounds of fast cars thanks to his father, Dick van Osten, an editor and writer for Auto Speed and Sport and Motor Trend. Phillip's passion for racing grew even more when his family moved to Europe and he became acquainted with the extraordinary world of Grand Prix racing. He was an early contributor to the monthly French F1i Magazine, often providing a historic or business perspective on Formula 1's affairs. In 2012, he co-authored along with fellow journalist Pierre Van Vliet the English-language adaptation of a limited edition book devoted to the great Belgian driver Jacky Ickx. He also authored "The American Legacy in Formula 1", a book which recounts the trials and tribulations of American drivers in Grand Prix racing. Phillip is also a commentator for Belgian broadcaster Be.TV for the US Indycar series.