Before his shock retirement announcement, Nico Rosberg was given clearance at Mercedes' factory in Brackley to check out the team's 2017 challenger.
And what the reigning world champion saw was mighty impressive to his eyes, although it failed to entice him to remain a Grand Prix driver.
"For the eye, it looks great, it's going to be enjoyable for them to drive, it will be faster," was the German's initial reaction.
"It will shuffle things up as every team has to start from scratch, it's not an evolution, it's a revolution. Every team starts from zero on a blank sheet of paper to build this car, it'll be exciting to see who's fastest."
With the top teams starting design and development almost a year in advance, Mercedes new car was obviously in an advanced stage when Rosberg discovered it.
"In November, I had the opportunity to see a model of the future car in the wind-tunnel. I therefore got a detailed look of what it will look like, and it was really impressive."
GALLERY: F1 drivers' wives and girlfriends
Keep up to date with all the F1 news via Facebook and Twitter
Formula 1 returns to Imola this weekend after a two-year absence following last year’s cancellation.…
Charles Leclerc says he was not aware of any plan to replace his long-standing race…
The Formula 1 community and its drivers came together on the grid on Thursday afternoon…
Formula 1 design legend Adrian Newey is poised for a new chapter, but all signs…
With Alex Albon now locked in for the foreseeable future, Williams has shifted its focus…
Nico Hulkenberg has called into question Kevin Magnussen’s claim that he deliberately transgressed track limits…