Lewis Hamilton described the upcoming period with Ferrari as “the most exciting” of his life, ahead of his highly anticipated debut at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. After 12 years with Mercedes, the seven-time world champion will race in Ferrari’s iconic red for the first time, acknowledging the high expectations that come with the move.
Having officially joined the Scuderia in January following his surprising transfer, Hamilton has already completed 162 laps of testing in Bahrain. Despite the intense preparations, the 40-year-old stressed the difficulty of gauging Ferrari’s standing within the competition so early in the season.
“Obviously, after just three days in the car, it’s hard to know where we stand relative to the others. But we’re just focusing on our job and keeping our heads down,” Hamilton said in Melbourne. “For me, I’m just itching to get started; it’s been a long time coming.”
Ferrari finished second in the constructors’ championship last season, narrowly losing out to McLaren. The Scuderia has not won the team title since 2008, and Kimi Raikkonen’s 2007 world title remains the last for Ferrari. Hamilton, while eager to perform, kept his expectations in check.
“I know what I can deliver. I know what it’s going to take, and it’s just about putting in the hard work. I’m coming in with an open mind,” Hamilton shared. “It’s about getting into a good rhythm with the new car. It’s quite different from what I’m used to in terms of power, vibration, and the way the team operates.”
The transition from Mercedes to Ferrari has posed a significant challenge for Hamilton, who has had to adapt to a new car with different dynamics and team culture. “The whole team works completely differently, but I’m motivated by that challenge,” he said.
Hamilton expressed immense excitement about his new venture, describing this phase as “the most exciting period of my life.” He continued, “I’m really enjoying it, and I’m so excited to get in the car tomorrow.”
While acknowledging the importance of building a strong foundation, he also emphasized the necessity of early results. “The sooner we can perform at a high level and get results, the better. But there’s a transition period, and we’re laying the groundwork now,” he explained. “The first half of the season is about building relationships and trust with everyone in the team.”
When asked what he would consider a good result in Melbourne, Hamilton replied, “Ultimately, I just want to walk away knowing I gave everything I had. If I excelled, felt comfortable in the car, and took things step by step, that would be a success.”
