Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver ‘itching to get going’ at Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne

Lewis Hamilton stated he is “itching to get going” forward of his Ferrari debut at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix

The build-up over the winter to F1’s new season has largely been about Hamilton’s transfer to Ferrari, with large pleasure in regards to the seven-time world champion becoming a member of the game’s most well-known crew.

Hamilton has not been in a title struggle because the controversial 2021 season after three combined seasons at Mercedes, though he gained two races in 2024 at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.

Pre-season testing in Bahrain prompt Ferrari are behind pace-setters McLaren however this weekend’s motion at Albert Park will reveal the true pecking order of the sector.

“It was difficult to know who’s where. It looks really close between us all,” stated Hamilton.

“But for me, I’ve been just itching to get going. I guess it’s been a long time coming, and to think that this is my first Grand Prix, one of the one of those other firsts with the team, I feel very honoured and grateful to have the opportunity.”

Hamilton is F1’s most profitable ever driver with 105 wins and 104 pole positions since he made his debut in 2007.

The 40-year-old stated he spent 4 days per week within the Ferrari manufacturing unit at Maranello and was staying in his personal world.

“I don’t really read the news, and I go for long periods of time without social media, so I’m not bombarded with social media,” he stated.

“I reside in my very own little bubble there. I am again at type of sq. one. I have been giving completely all the pieces to to coaching, to push my thoughts and my physique additional than I’ve earlier than, making an attempt to see if I can excel and simply squeeze extra juice out of this.

“I’m under no assumptions that it will be easy. It’s not. But I don’t feel the pressure. The outside pressure is non-existent for me. The pressure is with from within, what I want to achieve.

“I am not right here to show something to anyone. I by no means really feel I’ve to do something. I have been right here a very long time and achieved it time and time once more.

“I know what it takes to do the job, and that’s what I want to deliver for myself, my family, for this team that I really believe deserve success.”

Hamilton: The objective is to win

Ferrari haven’t gained the Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 as Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel did not develop into world champions in crimson.

The Scuderia’s final title was the Constructors’ Championship in 2008, the identical yr Hamilton gained his first title.

Hamilton has an “open mind” coming into Melbourne, a monitor Ferrari have traditionally been sturdy at.

“Joining a new team, as soon as you can get to performing at the high level and getting results, is the better,” he added.

“Inevitably, there is a transition period and there is a foundation that’s needed 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 that you get to work in.

“It is not one thing you simply step into within the door. Belief and respect; whereas respect is given, belief is one thing that’s constructed over time.

“Of course, the goal is to win. The goal is to take the team forwards. I’ve had some not so spectacular years and I will try to see if I can have a better year than the last three and there will be lots of factors that connect to that.”

Hamilton explains Ferrari variations

Hamilton will drive and not using a Mercedes engine for the primary time in his F1 profession, which is a big change as a result of technological variations.

He examined the 2023 and 2024 Ferrari vehicles in January and February however has spent only one and a half days within the 2025 machine throughout pre-season testing, the place he was second quickest.

“It’s something quite new. [The engine has a] different vibration, different feel,” stated Hamilton.

“The whole team works completely differently. I was just sitting just looking at the race trace from last year and it’s upside down compared to the previous ones. I’m looking at it and I didn’t understand it at all!

” issues from a distinct perspective makes it thrilling and difficult, that is essentially the most thrilling interval of my life, and so I am actually simply having fun with it and I am so excited to get within the automotive tomorrow [Friday].”

Sky Sports activities F1’s reside Australian GP schedule

Thursday March 13

• 9.45pm: F3 Apply
• 10.55pm: F2 Apply

Friday March 14

• 1am: Australian GP Apply One (session begins at 1.30am)*
• 2.55am: F3 Qualifying*
• 3.40am: Crew Principals’ Press Convention
• 4.45am: Australian GP Apply Two (session begins at 5am)*
• 6.25am: F2 Qualifying*
• 7.15am: The F1 Present*

Saturday March 15

• 12.10am: F3 Dash*
• 1.10am: Australian GP Apply Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
• 3.10am: F2 Dash*
• 4.15am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
• 5am: AUSTRALIAN GP QUALIFYING*
• 7am: Ted’s Qualifying Pocket book*
  7.30am: Australian GP Qualifying Replay* (9am on Sky Showcase)
• 9.55pm: F3 Function Race*

Sunday March 16

• 12.25am: F2 Function Race*
• 2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
• 4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
• 6am: Australian GP response: Chequered Flag*
• 7am: Ted’s Pocket book*
• 7.55am: Australian GP race replay
• 10am: Australian GP highlights (additionally on Sky Showcase)
• 7pm: Villeneuve Pironi – Racing’s Untold Tragedy

*Additionally on Sky Sports activities Primary Occasion

Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 System 1 season reside on Sky Sports activities F1, beginning with the Australian GP this weekend. Stream Sky Sports activities with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime