Lewis Hamilton is set to begin a new chapter in his illustrious Formula One career as he prepares for his first race with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend.
After 12 years with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion is stepping into the iconic Ferrari red and bringing with him both high expectations and a cautious approach as he adjusts to his new surroundings.
Hamilton, who officially joined the Scuderia in January, has already logged 162 laps of testing in Bahrain, but admits there is still much to learn about his new car and team dynamics.
“Obviously three days in the car, difficult to know where we stand with everyone else. But we just try to keep our heads down and just focus on our job,” he said in Melbourne.
A Transition Period Ahead
While Hamilton remains eager to hit the ground running, he has said it is important to be patient as he adapts to Ferrari’s systems and processes.
“I have an expectation for myself. I know what I can bring, I know I can deliver, I know what it’s going to take to do that, and it’s just getting your head down and working away,” he said.
“So I come with a very open mind. It is about getting into the season, this is about getting into a good rhythm.”
Hamilton also acknowledged the challenges of switching from Mercedes power to Ferrari power, describing it as a big adjustment.
“I’m still learning this new car that’s quite a lot different to what I’ve driven for my previous career, in the sense of Mercedes power coming into Ferrari power,” he explained.
“It’s something quite new, different vibration, different feel, different way of working. The whole team works completely differently.”
Excitement Fuels Hamilton’s Ferrari Ambition
Despite the learning curve, the 40-year-old is embracing the challenge with enthusiasm. “Definitely this is the most exciting period of my life, and so I’m really just enjoying it, and I’m so excited to get in the car tomorrow,” he said.
Hamilton understands that success won’t come overnight but believes in laying a strong foundation for the season ahead.
“The sooner you can get to performing at the high level, and getting results is the better. But admittedly, there is a transition period, and there is a foundation that needs to be built.”
“That’s what we’ve been doing over the past couple of months and the first half of the season really is kind of that foundation, building those relationships, the trust you’re building with absolutely every single person within the team.”
Setting Realistic Expectations for Melbourne
Ferrari has not won a constructors’ championship since 2008 and last celebrated a driver’s title in 2007 with Kimi Räikkönen. While expectations are high, Hamilton remains grounded in his approach.
Asked what would be a good result for his Ferrari debut, he replied: “I think I just ultimately want to come away knowing that I’ve given absolutely everything. That I’ve excelled in the way that I know I can, that I felt comfortable in the car and just one foot in front of the other.”
As he takes to the track in Melbourne, all eyes will be on Hamilton and his new Ferrari team to see if this bold move marks the start of another championship-winning campaign.
