Hamilton: Verstappen pit lane pass is as close as we'll get this week

Lewis Hamilton says he has not yet had a chance to speak to 2021 title rival Max Verstappen, despite both being in Barcelona at F1's first pre-season test of the new year.

The two stars of the sport will share the track this afternoon for the first time since Verstappen's controversial last-lap pass on Hamilton in Abu Dhabi back in December.

Hamilton was spotted peering into the Red Bull garage on Wednesday morning, watching his rival head out on track for the first time in his new RB18.

But the Briton says that is "probably as close" as the two will come this week, following a season that saw them often fighting for the same piece of tarmac.

Speaking to selected members of the media at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, including RacingNews365.com, Hamilton said: "I haven't [bumped into Verstappen yet], I literally just got here today, so...

"I didn't bump into him in the pit lane, but I saw him come by. That's probably as close as we will get this week."

What Hamilton learned from his pit lane tour

It wasn't just the Red Bull garage that Hamilton inspected closely during his morning pit lane walk in Barcelona.

The 37-year-old took time to look into every garage, one by one, including 2021 backmarker teams Haas, Williams and Alfa Romeo.

"It's interesting to see what other teams have done, in terms of sidepod designs and the front wings, the floor," explained Hamilton.

"It's completely brand new. I've seen designs of our car over several months, but to see everyone else's cars out there, I was just trying to get a close eye to see if I could see everything and why different teams had chosen different routes.

"We have absolutely no idea where we stand. All the cars are probably overweight, they're heavier than they've ever been. I'm glad people have been able to stop them so far."