Tense body language between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg was in evidence as the pair took the covers off the team's 2016 challenger in the pitlane of Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya and posed for photographers.
The two Silver Arrows drivers, who were boyhood friends, have been at loggerheads from the moment they became F1 title contenders, a couple of years ago, and since then their relationship has been on a steady downhill journey.
In Barcelona, ahead of the first test of the new season one would be forgiven to expect some kind of goodwill or civility between the two. But all indications are that the feud has reignited even before a wheel turned in Spain. Neither cracked a smile while they shared PR duties.
When apart from one another, while speaking to journalists or interacting with team members, and the smiles reappeared.
Nevertheless, a refreshed Hamilton insists he is prepared for the most gruelling season of his life as he attempts to deliver a third consecutive world championship for Mercedes.
Two world titles in two years are testament to Hamilton having the upper-hand in the team, but Rosberg has been a reluctant runner-up.
The Englishman romped to the third world title of his career last season with three races to spare to see off Rosberg. The German won the last three races of 2015, but how hard was the newly crowned triple champion trying?
Having enjoyed his time off during the winter, Hamilton is eager for more in Formula One’s longest-ever 21 race schedule in 2016.
“The highlight of the winter break has been the break! No racing - just family, friends and snowboarding”, he said as Mercedes launched the W07 Hybrid on the first morning of pre-season testing in Barcelona on Tuesday.
“I love racing, so I always welcome more races, but it’s going to be a gruelling season with 21 rounds.”
If Hamilton was in need of any motivation, he was beaten into second place by Rosberg for the final three races of last season after sealing the title and expects an even tougher test from the German this year.
“Nico is going to be super quick and super strong, so I’ve got to make sure I raise the bar again,” added Hamilton.
“I’ve achieved it in each of the last two years - but to do it again for a third time will be tough, no doubt. That’s the unknown - but I’ve been in the simulator recently and thankfully I can still drive, so that’s a start!”
Hamilton and Rosberg’s relationship has been far from friendly in their three seasons as teammates with numerous clashes on and off the track.
And Rosberg is determined that he will finally outperform Hamilton to deliver his first world title.
“I’ve had the car to help me realise that dream twice now but haven’t quite been able to bring everything together,” he said.
“I’m looking for that key to unlocking the final step to the title all the time and I will fight for it again this year. The opposition will be strong, of course. Lewis is doing a great job and we need to keep an eye on Ferrari as well.”
The man tasked with keeping the peace between Hamilton and Rosberg is Mercedes chief Toto Wolff.
Yet, he insisted they will be left to fight it out on the track free from team orders, “The battle between Lewis and Nico is both interesting and challenging for us.”
“If you put two competitive drivers in the same team and they have a shot at the championship, it’s never going to be an easy ride. Not only do we accept that, we embrace it.”
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