Lewis Hamilton is ready to make his first Formula 1 race appearance for the iconic Italian car manufacturer, Ferrari, at Albert Park. Hamilton has expressed his excitement to begin what he describes as the “most exciting period of my life” at Ferrari, though he acknowledges there will be a transition period as he adapts to a new car.
After 12 years with Mercedes, Hamilton will debut in Ferrari’s iconic red at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix this weekend, fully aware of the high expectations surrounding him. The seven-time world champion officially joined Scuderia Ferrari in January following his surprising move and completed 162 laps during testing in Bahrain.
The 40-year-old driver stated on Thursday that it is difficult to assess Ferrari’s standing in the pecking order so early in the season. “Obviously, with only three days in the car, it’s hard to know where we stand compared to everyone else. But we’re just trying to keep our heads down and focus on our job,” he said in Melbourne. “For me, I’m just itching to get going. It’s been a long time coming.”
Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors’ championship last year, finishing second to McLaren. This marked the seventh time since their last team title in 2008 that Ferrari has ended the season as runner-up. Kimi Räikkönen was the last Ferrari driver to win the world championship for the team in 2007, and Hamilton has tempered expectations about what he might achieve in his debut season with the Italian team.
“I have expectations for myself. I know what I can bring, I know I can deliver, and I know what it’s going to take to do that. It’s just a matter of getting my head down and working away,” he said. “So, I’m coming in with a very open mind. This is about getting into the season and finding a good rhythm.”
Hamilton also highlighted the differences between his previous Mercedes car and the new Ferrari, noting, “I’m still learning this new car, which is quite different from what I’ve driven in my previous career. Moving from Mercedes power to Ferrari power is something entirely new. The vibration, feel, and way of working are all different. The whole team operates completely differently.”
Despite the challenges, Hamilton said the new experience is motivating him. “This is definitely the most exciting period of my life, and I’m really enjoying it. I’m so excited to get in the car tomorrow,” he added.
When asked about what would constitute a good result in Melbourne, Hamilton replied, “I just want to come away knowing that I’ve given absolutely everything. That I’ve excelled in the way I know I can, that I felt comfortable in the car, and just took it one step at a time.”
The article also features an image of Hamilton driving the Scuderia Ferrari SF-25 during testing at the Bahrain International Circuit on February 27, 2025.
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