The Australian Grand Prix weekend has begun, and after a long winter break, Formula One is finally back. This morning, in Melbourne, the first free practice sessions of the 2025 season took place, although the real start of the championship will only come on Sunday morning when the five red lights go out. A new season that, even before its official start, already has one dominant theme: Lewis Hamilton’s move to Ferrari. A major move for the sport, bringing together the most successful driver and team in history, sparking unprecedented media attention and fulfilling the dreams of many fans. Not only that, but this union of legends has also realized the Briton’s own dreams, as he had always expressed a desire to wear red and soon realized what it means to wear the Ferrari suit. He has shown his joy multiple times about this step in his career, expressing great positivity toward a future that is now in the present.
Time for the debut
During the press conference ahead of the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne, the seven-time world champion spoke to the media about his approach to this new chapter in his long and successful career, stating that he was ready, motivated, and certainly not concerned by the inevitable pressure that comes with being a Ferrari driver. His calmness is a result of his mentality, legacy, and experience, as well as the team’s work aimed at helping him avoid feeling the weight of this historic step for F1, allowing him to focus and work hard, while also brushing aside any pressure from a potential gap he may experience with his teammate, Charles Leclerc, at least in the early races. While normal, this will inevitably trigger a continuous stream of rumors, given the name involved.
Fred Vasseur speaks
Ferrari Team Principal Frédéric Vasseur discussed Lewis Hamilton’s first laps as a Ferrari driver during a weekend race, speaking to Sky Sport F1. He emphasized once again that it’s important not to draw immediate conclusions but to give both the team and the driver time to find the right balance.
“We need to avoid drawing conclusions after just a few laps. Lewis encountered traffic this morning; what’s important will be adapting the car, and we’ll need to work on that.” – the French manager pointed out.
Regarding the SF-25, the Frenchman expressed satisfaction with the car’s balance, the data collected, and the work done by the technicians in fine-tuning the setup.
“The feeling is good. We need to be cautious; Melbourne is special, and grip will increase a lot. We always need to focus on the next session and not just adapt the car. The car is balanced, and the work has been good.”
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