The issue facing F1 however is that regardless of whether Hamilton can attain the illusive record-breaking eighth championship with the Scuderia, he will one day retire and step away from a day-to-day role. So what does this mean for the future of diverse representation in F1?

MELBOURNE, Australia — Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton racing a Ferrari for the first time. Reigning world champion Max Verstappen arriving without a lot of mileage in his Red Bull. Lando Norris helping McLaren set a benchmark with his pace in testing.

Ferrari may have set the early pace in the first two Friday free practice sessions but Lewis Hamilton was not entirely happy. Charles Leclerc was quickest in FP1 and FP2 in a closely-bunched top five,