BUCKLE UP
Lewis Hamilton relieved he ‘can still drive’ as Brit returns to track for first time in over 100 days at Silverstone
LEWIS HAMILTON said it was good to know he could still drive after returning to the track at Silverstone yesterday.
It was the first time the Brit had been in a Formula One car for more than 100 days.
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His Mercedes team is practising protocols for the Austrian Grand Prix on July 5, which will serve as the season opener.
Six-time world champion Hamilton said: “When you leave the garage the first time, you get this buzz.
“And it doesn’t matter how many years you do it, it always feels new and fresh.
“Obviously this is an older car but it still felt fantastic.
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“We got through a solid programme today.
“I didn’t feel like I’ve ever left the water, so that's a positive.
"I think every time you take a big break - I think it's been 103 days or something - you always wonder whether you can still drive.
“So it’s a good feeling to know of course I can, I’m ready, I feel fit.”
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The last time Hamilton drove was at F1’s second seasonal test in Barcelona five months ago.
Austria will mark his first competitive race since Abu Dhabi in December.
Wednesday’s spin around Silverstone provided Hamilton and Mercedes with the opportunity to run in both dry and wet conditions.
The team, who did a similar run with Valtteri Bottas on Tuesday, also tested new protocols to lessen the risk of coronavirus.
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That included face masks for all and even more facial protection for those getting up close and personal with the drivers.
Everybody was tested before getting on the Silverstone circuit and maintained social distancing throughout the course of the day.
Silverstone is due to host two Formula One races in August and teams look set to be exempt from the government’s two-week quarantine period.
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