Lewis Hamilton, the celebrated Formula 1 driver, expressed his eagerness and excitement as he prepared to make his debut with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix this weekend. Speaking in Melbourne on Thursday, Hamilton described this moment as the "most exciting period of my life," while cautioning about the adjustment period required to get accustomed to a new car. The 40-year-old driver officially joined the Scuderia in January after a surprising move and completed 162 laps of testing in Bahrain. As Hamilton races in the iconic Ferrari red for the first time, expectations are high.
Ferrari narrowly missed out on the constructors' championship last year, being edged out by McLaren. This marked the seventh time since their last win in 2008 that the Italian team finished in second place. Despite this, Hamilton remains focused on entering the season with a strong rhythm and managing expectations. He acknowledges the challenge of assessing Ferrari's place in the competitive pecking order so early in the season.
"Definitely this is the most exciting period of my life, and so I’m really just enjoying it, and I’m so excited to get in the car tomorrow," Hamilton shared.
Hamilton, who last lifted the world championship for Ferrari in 2007, emphasizes his personal goals more than external pressures. He aims to give his all and excel in his performance, focusing on feeling comfortable with the new vehicle dynamics and team operations.
“I think I just ultimately want to come away knowing that I’ve given absolutely everything. That I’ve excelled in the way that I know I can, that I felt comfortable in the car and just one foot in front of the other,” Hamilton stated.
While three days of testing provided some insights, Hamilton admits it's challenging to pinpoint Ferrari's standing relative to competitors at this stage. Adjusting to a different car setup and team operations presents a learning curve for any seasoned driver.
“Obviously three days in the car, difficult to know where we stand with everyone else. But we just try to keep our heads down and just focus on our job,” said Hamilton.
With high expectations from fans and experts alike, Hamilton remains determined to deliver top performances. He understands what it takes to succeed and is committed to putting in the necessary work.
