The Mercedes AMG F1 W09 EQ Power+ was unofficially unveiled at the Silverstone Circuit with Hamilton and Bottas completing an inaugural shakedown on 22 February 2018. The car took part the pre-season testing at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya on February 26–March 1 and March 6–9. During the eight testing days, the car completed 1040 laps; a total of , equivalent to over 15 race distances. The car was also driven by 2018 FIA Formula 2 driver George Russell during in-season testings at Hungaroring, where he set the then-outright lap record of the circuit at a time of 1:15.575.