Lewis Hamilton was back in the Formula One paddock this week (Image: Getty)
returned to the Formula One paddock for the first time since his move to earlier this week – but there was one major difference for the British driver.
Hamilton’s decision to swap the Silver Arrows for the famous red sent shockwaves around the world of Formula One.
The seven-time world champion is on the lookout for a record-breaking eighth title, with Hamilton convinced he’s in the best place to achieve that before he hangs up the helmet and retires from Formula One.
However, upon arrival at the Italian constructor, Hamilton has had to come to terms with one policy that wasn’t in place during his time with – the dress code.
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The 40-year-old has been known to use the paddock as a bit of a catwalk in the past, often donning outfits from luxurious fashion houses and brands.
As a man though, that could be about to change, given the Italians prefer their drivers to wear teamwear as much as possible in order to give plenty of airtime to their sponsors.
It was something photographer Kym Illman picked up on during the recent training sessions in Bahrain. Speaking on his YouTube, he said: “Normally Lewis would walk straight towards us, he’d be wearing something spectacular and it’ll be quite a show.
“Not today. Instead, he walked alongside the walls and at all times had his hand up near his face. I thought that was rather odd, we haven’t seen that with Lewis for a long, long time.
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Lewis Hamilton has been donning Ferrari teamwear in Bahrain (Image: Getty)
“To be honest I thought he’d come into wearing fashionable gear, but I’m sure have other ideas. And certainly, is a peculiar team when it comes to rules and regulations.”
Continuing his explanation, Illman added: “Their sponsors know that they are strict and the sponsors are giving them the money but they come under all sorts of rules and regulations.
“Now Lews is being paid a lot of money if we believe what the reports say and I have no doubt to disbelieve that.
“I think have said for this sort of money, you need to wear our sponsors’ logos, they’re paying a lot of money to you.
“To my liking and I did ask a couple of people whether or not we would see Lewis in fashionable gear later this year. And the responses I got led me to believe no.”
Testing continues in Bahrain throughout this week, with the first race of the Formula One season coming from Australia next month.