Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver ‘itching to g...

Lewis Hamilton mentioned 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 group.

Hamilton has not been in a title combat for the reason that controversial 2021 season after three combined seasons at Mercedes, though he received two races in 2024 at Silverstone and Spa-Francorchamps.

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

“It was tough to know who’s the place. It appears to be like actually shut between us all,” mentioned Hamilton.

“However for me, I have been simply itching to get going. I suppose it has been a very long time coming, and to assume that that is my first Grand Prix, one of many a kind of different firsts with the group, I really feel very honoured and grateful to have the chance.”

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 mentioned he spent 4 days every week within the Ferrari manufacturing facility at Maranello and was staying in his personal world.

“I do not actually learn the information, and I am going for lengthy durations of time with out social media, so I am not bombarded with social media,” he mentioned.

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

“I am underneath no assumptions that will probably be straightforward. It is not. However I do not really feel the strain. The skin strain is non-existent for me. The strain is with from inside, what I wish to obtain.

“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 completed it time and time once more.

“I do know what it takes to do the job, and that is what I wish to ship for myself, my household, for this group that I actually consider deserve success.”

Hamilton: The aim is to win

Ferrari haven’t received the Drivers’ Championship since Kimi Raikkonen in 2007 as Fernando Alonso and Sebastian Vettel did not grow to be world champions in purple.

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

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

“Becoming a member of a brand new group, as quickly as you may get to performing on the excessive degree and getting outcomes, is the higher,” he added.

“Inevitably, there’s a transition interval and there’s a basis that is wanted to be constructed. That is what we have been doing over the previous couple of months and the primary half of the season actually is type of that basis, constructing these relationships, the belief you are constructing with completely each single particular person inside the group that you simply 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.

“After all, the aim is to win. The aim is to take the group forwards. I’ve had some not so spectacular years and I’ll attempt to see if I can have a greater yr than the final three and there will probably be plenty of components that hook up with 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 major 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 is one thing fairly new. [The engine has a] completely different vibration, completely different really feel,” mentioned Hamilton.

“The entire group works utterly in a different way. I used to be simply sitting simply wanting on the race hint from final yr and it is the other way up in comparison with the earlier ones. I am taking a look at it and I did not perceive it in any respect!

” issues from a distinct perspective makes it thrilling and difficult, that is probably 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 F1’s live Australian GP schedule

Thursday March 13

• 9.45pm: F3 Follow
• 10.55pm: F2 Follow

Friday March 14

• 1am: Australian GP Follow One (session begins at 1.30am)*
• 2.55am: F3 Qualifying*
• 3.40am: Crew Principals’ Press Convention
• 4.45am: Australian GP Follow 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 Follow 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 Characteristic Race*

Sunday March 16

• 12.25am: F2 Characteristic 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 Important Occasion

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