Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton faced a challenging start to his highly anticipated tenure with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix, describing his debut performance as “much worse” than he had anticipated. The 40-year-old British driver, who joined the iconic Italian team after a storied career with Mercedes, encountered a series of setbacks during the season-opening race weekend, leaving fans and analysts questioning the team’s readiness.
Hamilton, who made the blockbuster move to Ferrari in pursuit of an eighth world title, expressed his disappointment in a post-race interview with Sky Sports. “It went a lot worse than I thought it would go,” he said, reflecting on a weekend marked by a lackluster qualifying and a race plagued by strategic missteps and car setup issues. “The car felt so much different to what I’ve ever experienced coming to this track,” he added, hinting at the steep learning curve he faces with Ferrari’s machinery.
The Australian Grand Prix, held at Melbourne’s Albert Park circuit, saw Hamilton struggle from the outset. Posts on X highlighted a litany of issues, including a poor qualifying performance, a strategy miscalculation by the Ferrari pit wall, and a car setup that failed to suit the track conditions. One user humorously noted that Hamilton had experienced the “full Ferrari experience on Day 1,” a nod to the team’s reputation for occasional operational blunders despite their storied legacy.
Hamilton’s comments come after a promising pre-season testing period, where he had expressed optimism about Ferrari’s potential. However, the transition from Mercedes, where he won six of his seven championships, to Ferrari has proven more difficult than expected. The Australian GP exposed vulnerabilities in the team’s preparation, with Hamilton nearly facing a Did Not Finish (DNF) due to a mechanical scare mid-race.
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur acknowledged the disappointing start but remained optimistic about the season ahead. “We know we have work to do,” Vasseur said in a press conference. “Lewis is adapting to the team, and we are adapting to him. This is a long season, and we will improve.”
Hamilton’s debut has reignited discussions about Ferrari’s competitiveness in the 2025 season. The team, which has not won a constructors’ championship since 2008, is under immense pressure to deliver results, especially with a driver of Hamilton’s caliber. Fans on social media have expressed a mix of frustration and hope, with some pointing to the team’s historical struggles and others confident that Hamilton’s experience will eventually turn the tide.
As the F1 circus moves to the next race, Hamilton and Ferrari will look to regroup and address the issues that marred their Australian outing. For the British superstar, the road to an eighth title now appears more challenging than ever, but his resilience and determination remain undeterred.
“I’ve faced tough days before, and this is just another one,” Hamilton said. “We’ll figure it out together and come back stronger.”