Mercedes are in France at Paul Ricard’s circuit to test Pirelli’s new tire compounds ahead of the 2023 Formula 1 season; the test sees Lewis Hamilton and George Russell back in the W13, which caused problems in the 2022 season; the W14 starts on February 15th

Hamilton was back in the W13 as Mercedes tested Pirelli’s new tires for the 2023 season

Lewis Hamilton returned to the track for the first time in 2023 ahead of the new Formula 1 season.

Hamilton and George Russell met their Mercedes team for the first time this year at the Paul Ricard circuit in France to test Pirelli’s tire compounds for the new season. Russell took to the track on Wednesday before Hamilton had his chance on Thursday.

Testing saw both drivers back in the W13 car, which caused major problems for the pair throughout the season as seven-time world champion Hamilton failed to record a single win as he struggled with significant speed and porpoise problems.

It will be the penultimate time Hamilton will have to drive the W13, with Mercedes announcing a February 15 launch date for the car, which they hope will get them back on track for the title.

The Silver Arrows, whose historic streak of eight consecutive Constructors’ Championships ended last year, will unveil their new W14 car online, while there will also be interviews with Hamilton and Russell.

The team says it will go ‘all in’ in 2023 and Hamilton is hoping the W14 is the car that can put him back on track and on track for a record eighth title.

Struggling to get along with the car, Hamilton was outperformed by Russell in an impressive debut season with his new team, securing a maiden Grand Prix win at Sao Paulo and becoming only the third Hamilton team-mate to finish above him in the Championship.

However, Hamilton’s former team-mate, Alfa Romeo driver Valtteri Bottas, who never managed to surpass him during his time at Mercedes, believes such a result is more down to the machinery than Hamilton’s driving.

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Valtteri Bottas shares his thoughts on former Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton over the past season and Craig Slater reflects on the debate surrounding Alfa Romeo’s future.

“I think it was an off-season without a doubt. They fought massively with the car at the beginning,” said Bottas.

“Even we surpassed them at times and it seemed Lewis wasn’t comfortable in the first half (of the season) and was definitely faster in the second half, but let’s see.”

Mercedes aren’t the only team to return to the track, with Oscar Piastri getting his first real taste of a McLaren at Barcelona.