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James Moy's best shots of Barcelona F1 testing

Out of the thousands of photographs taken over the eight days of pre-season Formula 1 testing at Barcelona, James Moy picks his favourites.

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H

James Moy

Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport F1 Managing Director, Renault Sport Formula One Team RS16 Launch

Cyril Abiteboul, Renault Sport F1 Managing Director, Renault Sport Formula One Team RS16 Launch

Photo by: James Moy

The new season is still a few weeks away, but Renault is back in F1 and hosts a traditional launch event in Paris. We used to do one of these for every team each year, but they seem to be a thing of the past now, with all resources put into getting the car on track, and the marketing opportunities taking a back seat. Canon 1DX 16-35mm lens, 1/125th sec @ f6.3
Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India F1 - Apsley, Sahara Force India F1 Team Studio Shoot

Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India F1 - Apsley, Sahara Force India F1 Team Studio Shoot

Photo by: James Moy

The pre-season build up continues with a photoshoot for the two Force India drivers prior to the unveiling of the new VJM09. The drivers are on good form, and continue to smile and pose after many hours of studio photography. Canon 1DX, 24-70mm lens, 1/125th sec @ f11
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 unveils the Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 unveils the Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid

Photo by: James Moy

Lewis can’t resist taking a sneak peek of the new Mercedes F1 W07 as he peels the covers off the car for the first time. What you don’t see from this image are the hundreds of photographers, cameramen and journalists jostling for position to capture the moment. Canon 1DX, 70-200mm lens, 1/250th sec @ f4.5
Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 Team VF-16 during the team's unveiling

Romain Grosjean, Haas F1 Team VF-16 during the team's unveiling

Photo by: James Moy

There is a new team in the pitlane and the media are after their shots. Haas F1 is the first team to unveil their car on day one of testing. Romain sits proudly and poses for photographs. By including some of the photographers – and capturing a lucky flash! – it gives a sense of the occasion. Canon 1DX, 24-70mm lens, 1/250th sec @ f2.8
Esteban Gutierrez, Haas F1 Team VF-16 locks up

Esteban Gutierrez, Haas F1 Team VF-16 locks up

Photo by: James Moy

The new kid on the block managed to get good mileage on its new car. Here Esteban pushes hard and locks a wheel as he enters the final chicane. Canon 1DX, 500mm lens, 1/800th sec @ f6.3
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid

Photo by: James Moy

Mercedes set an early marker to their rivals by covering 675 laps in the first four days of testing. Here Lewis makes a practice start at the end of the pitlane as he embarks on yet another race distance simulation. By shooting the car from a low angle you get this dramatic shot as he pulls away and lights the tyres up. Canon 1DX, 500mm lens, 1/1250th sec @ f4.5
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 with the media

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 with the media

Photo by: James Moy

The demand for media content is huge as everyone wants to hear what the World Champion thinks of his new car. TV camera crews and journalists battle for position to get a clean shot or an interesting quote. By photographing this from directly above I have created a unique view of a driver in demand. Canon 1DX, 70-200mm lens, 1/250th sec @ f4.5
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 W07 Hybrid, Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H

Photo by: James Moy

The early signs show that it is a Mercedes v Ferrari battle for the 2016 title. That’s the order here as Lewis leads Kimi into the setting sun. Captured in the braking zone of the back straight, a wonderfully golden and backlit photo that is only possible at winter testing. Canon 1DX, 1/1000th sec @ f16
Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 on a hoverboard in the paddock with his dogs Roscoe and Coco

Lewis Hamilton, Mercedes AMG F1 on a hoverboard in the paddock with his dogs Roscoe and Coco

Photo by: James Moy

How does a triple World Champion arrive into the paddock? On a unicycle, of course, with his dogs in tow. Testing photography is not all about low light and racing cars. There is a desire from news outlets for this type of image too. Canon 1DX, 1/1000th sec @f5.6
Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India F1 watches the action

Nico Hulkenberg, Sahara Force India F1 watches the action

Photo by: James Moy

I was conducting a photoshoot in a studio with Nico Hulkenberg during a day off in his schedule, when Nico decided he wanted to see how his competitors were looking from trackside. As he watched, I photographed him. A nice moment as Nico looks on. Canon 1DX, 1/500th sec @ f4
Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H, running the Halo cockpit cover, locks up under braking

Kimi Raikkonen, Ferrari SF16-H, running the Halo cockpit cover, locks up under braking

Photo by: James Moy

There was much talk of the ‘Halo’ driver protection during the latter part of testing. Both Ferrari drivers tried it for just a single lap each. The media had no warning that it was going to happen, and so was a bit of a shock when we first saw it. Here Kimi has a huge lock-up during his install lap. Maybe he couldn’t see his braking point...? Canon 1DX, 1/60th sec @ f16
Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1

Sergio Perez, Sahara Force India F1

Photo by: James Moy

Thousands of laps later, and much has been learnt, but still nobody really knows who is fast and who is not. The sun has set on another year of winter testing... Canon 1DX, 70-200mm lens, 1/8000th sec @ f4
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