Australian Grand Prix
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne Dates: 14 March-16 March Race begin: 04:00 GMT on Sunday, 16 March
Protection: Reside radio commentary of apply and qualifying on BBC 5 Sports activities Further, race dwell on BBC Radio 5 Reside. Reside textual content updates on BBC Sport web site and app
Lewis Hamilton mentioned he anticipated it to be “a little bit bit early” for him to have the ability to combat for pole place on Saturday at his first race for Ferrari.
Hamilton ended Friday apply on the Australian Grand Prix fifth quickest, 0.42 seconds slower than his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who set the tempo forward of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
He mentioned: “For me I believe it is a little bit bit early (to go for pole) as I proceed to study the automobile, however by no means say by no means.
“I’ll give it all the pieces and (I am) simply not placing an excessive amount of stress on. Attempt to get pleasure from it. I’ve some tempo to seek out. I do know the place to seek out it. It is nearly going out and doing it.”
The 40-year-old mentioned the build-up to his first look for his new group at a race weekend had been “super-exciting” and that it “felt superb to get on the market and be in a Ferrari right here”.
He mentioned the automobile behaved very in a different way from the Mercedes, after 12 years with the German group, and that it “took a little bit little bit of bedding in” by the primary session, which he ended 0.61secs off Leclerc and twelfth quickest when the Monegasque was third.
The seven-time champion mentioned: “P2 was undoubtedly a bit higher however (I am) simply slowly constructing and getting a little bit bit sooner little by little.
“The automobile does not really feel unhealthy or something. It simply requires a unique manner of driving, so adjusting my driving type little by little however having fun with driving.”
And he mentioned he was nonetheless within the studying course of along with his new group and automobile.
“I am nonetheless getting used to the set-up modifications,” Hamilton mentioned. “I haven’t got them on name like I used to have at Mercedes as a result of I would been there so lengthy. I knew precisely all of the modifications.
“I am nonetheless working by understanding what instruments we are able to use. And it is attention-grabbing as a result of you possibly can see with Charles he simply is aware of as a result of he has been right here such a very long time. I’m slowly piecing all of the bits of the puzzle collectively.”
On race tempo, Hamilton was nearer to Leclerc, about 0.1secs on common over a run, as Ferrari edged McLaren for pace.
“Future was aggressive with the others as effectively,” Hamilton mentioned. “McLaren look fairly fast. Seems to be fairly shut up high. It is simply usually been a enjoyable day simply to be right here in purple has been superior.”
Leclerc ‘focusing on pole’
Leclerc mentioned he “needed to be cautious” however he was “focusing on pole place”.
“We did a very good preparation work as a result of the sensation with the automobile was good,” he mentioned.
“There are issues we have to enhance as all the time and I’m not very pleased with the stability but however we’re in a significantly better place in comparison with Bahrain testing and there may be nonetheless some efficiency to seek out.
“However that’s the similar for everybody. The automobiles are fairly new for everybody and you need to push it to grasp the place precisely is the restrict.
“It has been a stable first day and we now have to see the way it goes tomorrow after we push a bit extra.
“For positive McLaren is up there. Pink Bull could be struggling a little bit bit extra for now, however with them and particularly Max (Verstappen) you possibly can by no means actually rule them out. I’m positive they are going to be within the combat and Mercedes look sturdy as effectively.”
Verstappen was seventh quickest for Pink Bull, however didn’t full his quick lap on the delicate tyres after making a mistake at Flip Three.
On race tempo, Pink Bull seemed to be the fourth quickest automobile behind Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes, but it surely was shut between the highest 4 and moist climate is predicted on Sunday, which is able to combine issues up and is prone to convey Verstappen into the combat for victory.
