Lewis Hamilton is experiencing a sense of déjà vu as he prepares for his highly anticipated Ferrari debut at the Australian Grand Prix next week at the 5.278-kilometre Albert Park Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne, a feeling that takes him back to his first-ever Formula 1 race with McLaren in Melbourne back in 2007.
As the seven-time Formula 1 world champion and the most successful driver in the sport’s history—boasting an impressive 105 Grand Prix wins and 202 podium finishes— the British driver admitted that the excitement surrounding this new chapter in his career is steadily growing. Speaking at a Ferrari partner Puma event on Tuesday night, he shared how the anticipation of his first race in red is evoking memories of his rookie season, making the buildup to Melbourne even more special.
In a recent interview for Reuters, the 40-year-old Briton remarked that while the winter had felt long, it had also passed quickly. The former Mercedes man expressed gratitude for the successful testing they had the previous week. He admitted that he could hardly believe the race was already happening next week and expected the reality to sink in as the weekend approached. He shared his excitement, stating that the team was as well-prepared as possible given the limited time he had to adjust. While acknowledging that there were still things to learn, he emphasized his eagerness to get started. The British driver added that he loved racing and that being in Melbourne would strongly remind him of his first Grand Prix there.
Lewis Hamilton’s pursuit of a record-breaking eighth Formula 1 title with Ferrari—the sport’s most iconic and prestigious team—has dominated headlines worldwide. His arrival in Maranello marks one of the biggest storylines of the season, but it isn’t the first time he has made a high-profile debut. Back in 2007, the British driver burst onto the scene with a remarkable rookie performance for McLaren, securing an impressive third-place finish in his very first Grand Prix.
Lewis Hamilton went on to achieve a spectacular start to his Formula 1 career, finishing on the podium in each of his first nine races. He secured two victories and concluded the season as the overall runner-up, narrowly missing out on the title to Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen. In the following year, Hamilton clinched his first-ever Formula 1 World Championship, marking the beginning of a legendary career. Even now, as he prepares to race for Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton confessed that he still finds it hard to believe he’s a driver for the iconic Scuderia, a team he once viewed from the outside as a fierce competitor.
The Briton explained that next week, when he arrived at the race, he would be starting a Grand Prix driving for the Maranello team, and he was in awe of the moment. He admitted that he was struggling to find the words to express just how excited he felt. While trying to stay calm and composed, he acknowledged that arriving in Melbourne as a Ferrari driver would undoubtedly be an exciting experience.
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