MERCEDES made an awkward Lewis Hamilton gaffe on the first day of F1 testing.
The F1 legend departed the Siver Arrows in December to join Ferrari but his ghost remains at the factory.
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RexLewis Hamilton in Ferrari colours for the first time in testing[/caption]
It appears some in the team are still getting used to a Mercedes without Hamilton – for the first time in 12 years.
In testing at the Bahrain International Circuit a Mercedes staff member had to peel Hamilton‘s iconic No44 off a generator.
It is a symbolic image which shows Mercedes are very much in transition, with George Russell joined by 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli in testing.
Fans reacted to the image with one saying: “This is an amazing picture. So symbolic.”
Another added: “End of an era.”
A third wrote: “Oh my gosh, they hadn’t taken it out yet…”
Hamilton, 40, did not have the best start to life at Ferrari as a power cut hit the circuit.
The cause of the fault is unknown as the circuit’s lighting system was also extinguished.
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The race director red-flagged the session immediately afterwards and the FIA confirmed the action was taken in response to the blackout.
The failure struck shortly after 5pm local time and continued for more than an hour.
The session was scheduled to end at 7pm, with sunset due to fall at 5:40pm.
The season kicks off in Australia on March 16, when Hamilton launches his bid for a record eighth world championship.
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