Written by Peter Johnson
Lewis Hamilton arrived at Melbourne’s Albert Park street circuit in high spirits ahead of his first competitive outing for Ferrari at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix.
The 40-year-old Briton, who had previously admitted wanting to quit Mercedes several races before the end of the 2024 season, already appears to have found a new lease of life with the Scuderia.
“All these years I’ve gone up and down the paddock seeing the red garage and now I’m actually in the red garage,” Hamilton said.
“This is the most exciting period of my life so I’m really just enjoying it and I’m so excited to get in the car tomorrow.”
The Ferrari project is a new slate for Hamilton after a difficult three years with Mercedes. He even claims to have forgotten where he finished at last year’s Australian race - indeed he failed to reach the chequered flag, suffering a power unit failure after just 15 laps.
The seven-time world champion also stressed that he is not affected by the unprecedented attention being paid to his Ferrari move.
“The pressure I put on myself has always been higher than any other pressure upon me,” Hamilton added. “I’ve joined this team and I haven’t been made to feel any pressure. I have an expectation for myself - I know what I can bring, I know what I can deliver.”
“The goal is to win and take the team forward. I have had some not so spectacular years and I’m trying to see if I can have a better year than I’ve had the last three.”
Hamilton also shared a knowing smile with Williams’ latest signing Carlos Sainz, the previous occupant of his Ferrari seat, as he discussed some of the early challenges he has faced while settling into his new team.
“I’m still learning a new car that’s quite a lot different to [previously in my] career. Coming to Ferrari power is quite new - different vibration, different feel. The whole team works completely differently.”
“I was just looking at the race trace from last year and it’s upside down [compared to what I’m used to]. I don’t understand it at all - but looking at things from a different perspective is what makes it exciting and challenging.”
Monégasque Charles Leclerc, meanwhile, described by Hamilton himself as “Mr Ferrari”, has already been impressed by his new teammate.
He said: “I know the environment more than him but he has introduced himself to the team perfectly and he already seems to be very much at ease.
"I really don't think Lewis needs any kind of advice from me. The advice I have given him so far is mostly about food. He knows if he needs anything I am here to answer his questions, no problems. But he needs less advice from me than I do from him."
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