In testing at the Bahrain International Circuit a Mercedes staff member had to peel Hamilton's iconic No44 off a generator.
MERCEDES made an awkward Lewis Hamilton gaffe on the first day of F1 testing.
It is a symbolic image which shows Mercedes are very much in transition, with George Russell joined by 18-year-old rookie Kimi Antonelli in testing.
It appears some in the team are still getting used to a Mercedes without Hamilton - for the first time in 12 years.
Hamilton, 40, did not have the best start to life at Ferrari as a power cut hit the circuit.
