Lewis Hamilton has shared his observations on Ferrari’s data traces, noting that they appear completely different—almost reversed—compared to what he was accustomed to during his time at Mercedes.
After spending 12 seasons with the Brackley-based team, Hamilton made the high-profile switch to Ferrari this year, marking the first time in his 19-season career that he is adapting to a power unit outside of Mercedes’ engineering.
As he delves into Ferrari’s data while familiarizing himself with the new machinery, Lewis Hamilton admitted that the figures initially seemed puzzling, as they contrasted sharply with what he had previously experienced.
Lewis Hamilton explained that he is still getting accustomed to the car, highlighting that it feels quite different from what he has driven before. He noted that transitioning from Mercedes to Ferrari power has introduced new sensations, including different vibrations and an unfamiliar way of working.
Reflecting on past data, the seven-time Formula 1 world champion admitted that when analyzing last year’s race traces, they appeared completely reversed compared to what he was used to, leaving him initially unable to make sense of them.
Despite the challenges, Lewis Hamilton expressed enthusiasm for the fresh perspective this change brings, describing it as both exciting and demanding. The Briton emphasized that this is the most thrilling period of his life and that he is thoroughly enjoying the experience.
In his past two Australian Grand Prix debuts at the Albert Park circuit with new teams, Lewis Hamilton secured a podium finish with McLaren in 2007, crossing the line in third, and later took fifth place in his first outing for Mercedes in 2013.
When questioned about his outlook for the upcoming race weekend, the seven-time world champion refrained from making a definitive forecast. Instead, he emphasized his focus on optimizing his performance and extracting the most from his new Ferrari machinery.
Lewis Hamilton expressed his hope of securing a place in the top 10 but avoided setting specific expectations for the weekend. The British driver explained that his primary focus was on giving his absolute best and performing at the highest level he knows he is capable of.
He emphasized the importance of feeling comfortable in the car and making steady progress, though he acknowledged that the final results remained uncertain. While the true competitive order among the top teams would only become clear after the next Formula 1 session, he remained optimistic about the possibility of fighting for a position within the top five.
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