Lewis Hamilton is undeterred by the monumental expectations surrounding his Ferrari debut at this weekend’s Australian Grand Prix, insisting there’s no stress on him to show something.
Despite the media frenzy over his change from Mercedes, which has adopted a difficult interval in his profession, Hamilton stays targeted solely on the duty forward: delivering his greatest efficiency.
“I’m not here to prove anything,” the 40-year-old British driver stated. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and I know what it takes. The only pressure I feel is from within. I push myself harder than anyone else could.”
Hamilton’s change to Ferrari marks the achievement of a childhood dream, but it surely comes after a tough few years by which he claimed simply two wins in his final 69 races.
Even with a brand new staff, he’s desperate to return to profitable type and chase that record-breaking eighth world title.
“I need to give all the things this weekend and ensure I’m at my greatest,” Hamilton added. “The aim is at all times to win and push the staff ahead.”
Ferrari, who completed second within the constructors’ championship final season, stay poised to problem for the title, with solely minor technical adjustments to the rulebook over the winter. Hamilton’s two-year, 50 million pounds-a-year ($64.7 million) contract with Ferrari is seen as a pivotal transfer in his profession to cement his place in historical past.
“I’ve had a few tough years with Mercedes, and now it’s time to make sure this year is better than the last three,” Hamilton stated, reflecting on his profession trajectory.
This weekend’s race in Melbourne is a major milestone for him, because it marks 18 years since his F1 debut at Albert Park with McLaren, the place he completed third and nearly clinched the championship in a spectacular rookie season.
Back then, Hamilton was a fresh-faced 22-year-old with little assist, a far cry from the seasoned, assured driver he’s now.
“I didn’t have a team or the foundation I have now,” he stated. “But now I’m comfortable in my own skin, and it’s been an incredible journey.”
On monitor, Hamilton’s first free observe session noticed him place twelfth, greater than half a second behind teammate Charles Leclerc.
However, by the second session, Hamilton improved to fifth, simply 0.42 seconds off Leclerc, who topped the timesheets. Ferrari staff principal Fred Vasseur downplayed early efficiency considerations, saying Hamilton’s main job was adjusting to the brand new staff’s techniques and software program.
“We’re not expecting him to be at the limit straight away,” Vasseur famous. “It’s a learning process, but I’m convinced he’ll perform soon. Just look at Carlos Sainz’s performance here last year – he won after a similar start.”
Hamilton himself echoed the sentiment, saying the Ferrari automotive felt completely different however not uncomfortable. “It’s not bad – it just requires a different way of driving,” he defined. “It’s about bedding in and getting faster, step by step.”
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