First day with new car "one of the best we've had" - Hamilton

Lewis Hamilton says that his first day with Mercedes' brand new car was "one of the best we've had". The reigning world champion got behind the wheel of the W10 for the first time this year at the team's launch at Silverstone.

Mercedes is the first team to launch their 2019 car to the new specifications, taking to the track immediately instead of solely using digital renderings.

Hamilton got an opportunity in the car in the afternoon ahead of winter testing during the shakedown event, the team using one of their limited filming days to lightly test the new car before they arrive in Barcelona.

Afterwards, Hamilton admitted to media that it had been a hugely successful day and rated it as one of the best the team has had prior to a season getting underway.

"It was a great first date, probably one of the best ones that we’ve had in all these years," he began.

"But what has been most impressive is seeing the car coming together last night, which is always impressive to see. And then to see how smooth today has gone.

"There are things we can continue to work on, but so many people worked tirelessly to pull this car together, and to see it come to the test and go out, get through the programme we needed to and get the filming done is great."