F1 testing LIVE: Latest updates from Barcelona as Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen return

Fernando Alonso believes there was “nothing wrong” with the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix and hopes the FIA did not change the structure if race control because of the race.

Michael Masi was race director for the final race of the 2021 season and he allowed some cars to unlap themselves and others not. It led to Max Verstappen overtaking Lewis Hamilton on the last lap to take his first world title.

Masi has since been fired from his position after a huge uproar from fans who believe Hamilton was robbed of a record eighth title.

Alpine’s Alonso said he supports new FIA president Mohammed Ben Sulayem but has a “different opinion” about how the Abu Dhabi race unfolded.

Nikolas Tombazis maintains that the FIA have been “surprised” by some of the cars’ designs as the new era of F1 begins.

“We have seen a few surprises here and there,” said Tombazis.

“Some areas where cars are a bit more different between them than what we expected and where engineers have applied their innovative skills to come up with a solution.

“I think you will see a lot more differentiation than maybe you were expecting to start with.

“I wouldn’t say there’s been any massive alarm bells so far. It’s been relatively mild – still within what we think is a completely fair interpretation of the rules.

“We haven’t seen anything equivalent to a double diffuser or anything like that!”

Mercedes team principal Toto Wolff insists they have never had a number one driver as they prepare to begin a new era with Lewis Hamilton and George Russell.

Russell is Hamilton’s newest team-mate after Valtteri Bottas left at the end of last season, with the 24-year-old arriving following three seasons at Williams.

Bottas, who was regularly outperformed by Hamilton while at the team, has said he believes the seven-time world champion will remain Mercedes’ main focus.

But Wolff says there is no “one two” at Mercedes, although he did admit there is a new dynamic within the reigning constructors champions.

Lewis Hamilton has full faith Mercedes can deliver him a car ready to challenge for a record eighth world championship after he controversially missed out last season.

Two months and 11 days after last year’s controversial finale in Abu Dhabi – which saw Hamilton denied a record-breaking eighth title – F1 emerged from its winter hibernation with its first pre-season test at Barcelona’s Circuit de Catalunya on Wednesday.

“Every year is exciting but this one is completely brand new,” the Briton said. “I have seen designs of our car obviously but this is the first time you get to see the other teams out there on track.

“You want to see a close eye and see why others have taken a different route. You have no idea where you stand so it is definitely exciting.”

Nicholas Latifi says Formula One could do more to help drivers deal with social media abuse.

Latifi received death threats after his late crash at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in December triggered a chain of events which saw Max Verstappen overtake Lewis Hamilton on the last lap of the season to claim the world title.

The driver revealed he hired security on a recent trip to London as he felt he and his family were in danger following the threats. He is now trying to encourage those in the sport and officials to open up on the topic.

Lewis Hamilton has called for more neutral stewards in his press conference at F1 testing in Barcelona while remaining steadfast in his belief Mercedes will be strong title contenders.

“We should have more neutral stewards. Some get along with certain people, they travel together. We have to change that,” says Lewis Hamilton.

“My team doesn’t make mistakes. Why should I doubt that we didn’t manage to build a good car? We’ve won the constructors eight times in a row.”

“Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda are pretty much sorted”, that is the view of Sky Sports F1 reporter Ted Kravitz ahead of day one of the unofficial testing in Barcelona.

“I think there are enough people who have changed their power-unit architecture that they might come into a bit of trouble,” Kravitz remarked.

“But the top two or three – Ferrari, Mercedes and Honda in the back of the Red Bull – are pretty much sorted from last year.

“There will be some controversies with who has interpreted the rules in a way that wasn’t intended by the FIA.

“There might be some controversies over flexing floors and different ideas, but I think the engines will be okay. I think the teams are on top of their reliability these days.”

Credit:IndependentUK,CN,Getty Images