MELBOURNE, Australia — Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton made his Ferrari debut on Friday at the Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit.
Hamilton changed teams during the offseason after spending the past 12 seasons with the Mercedes factory team.
Hamilton was fifth quickest during practice but acknowledged he was adjusting to a different type of driving style.
“It felt amazing to get out there and be in a Ferrari here,” Hamilton explained. “The car felt so much different than I have ever experienced coming to this track, so it took a little bit vetting through P1. P2 was definitely better. We are building and getting a little bit faster.
“The car just requires a different type of driving and I am adjusting my driving style bit by bit. I am enjoying driving it.”
The 40-year-old veteran knows the transition to Ferrari will be ongoing.
“P1 was a little bit messy. P2 was definitely starting to look a little bit better. Also, I’m still getting used to all of the setup changes,” Hamilton said. “I don’t have them on call like I used to have with Mercedes.
“Where I’d been there so long, I knew exactly all the setup changes, so I’m still working through understanding what tools we can use, and it’s interesting you can see with Charles (Leclerc), he just knows because he’s been here for such a long time.”
Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate, Leclerc, turned the fastest lap of the day.
“It’s generally been a really fun day,” Hamilton concluded. “To be here in red has been awesome.”
