Lewis Hamilton embraces his Ferrari debut with excitement, not pressure, as he gears up for his first race in red at the Australian Grand Prix.
No pressure—just excitement. That’s how Lewis Hamilton sees his first race in Ferrari colours as he gets ready for the Australian Grand Prix.
“This is the most exciting period of my life,” he said in Melbourne. “I’m still in the learning phase with this car. It’s very different from what I was used to, especially in terms of the engine. The whole team works differently too. But looking at things from a fresh perspective makes it exciting and stimulating.”
The Road to Adaptation
Hamilton has spent nearly two months fully immersing himself in the Ferrari environment—completing private test sessions, a Pirelli tyre test, and pre-season running. But he admits it will take him almost half the season to fully settle in.
“When you join a new team, the sooner you reach a high level and deliver results, the better. But there’s always a transition period. You have to build the foundations, and that’s exactly what we’ve been doing over the past months.”
“The first half of the season is about laying the groundwork, building relationships, and earning trust. It’s not something you can rush. Respect is given, but trust takes time to build. For me, the goal is clear: to win and to help push the team forward.”
Handling Expectations
After Ferrari’s strong end to 2024 and their battle with McLaren, expectations are high. But Hamilton remains unfazed.
“I think the pressure I put on myself has always been ten times greater than any external pressure. I didn’t join Ferrari without knowing there would be challenges. But I know what I bring to the team, I know what I can offer, and I know what it takes to succeed. It’s all about focus and hard work.”
A Weekend Without Expectations
So, what would make this first Ferrari race a success in his eyes?
“I have no expectations,” he admitted. “I just want to leave knowing I gave everything, performed at my best, felt comfortable in the car, and took a step forward without stumbling.”
With only three days of running in the new Ferrari, Hamilton acknowledges that it’s difficult to gauge their standing against the competition.
“We’ve kept a level head and focused on our work, but the battle looks tight. We won’t know for sure until tomorrow where we really stand among the top teams. Hopefully, we’ll be in the fight for the top five—somewhere in that range.”
A new journey begins for Hamilton, and he’s determined to make it count.
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Hamilton’s Ferrari Era Begins: No Pressure, Just Pure Excitement Hamilton’s Ferrari Era Begins: No Pressure, Just Pure Excitement
