Australian Grand Prix
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne Dates: 14 March-16 March Race begin: 04:00 GMT on Sunday, 16 March with first apply at 01:30 on Friday
Protection: Dwell radio commentary of apply and qualifying on BBC 5 Sports activities Additional, race dwell on BBC Radio 5 Dwell. Dwell textual content updates on the BBC Sport web site and app
Lewis Hamilton says he doesn’t really feel any strain to show himself as he begins his Ferrari profession on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time champion left Mercedes after 12 seasons through which they turned probably the most profitable team-driver mixture in Components 1 historical past.
The 40-year-old Briton received six of his drivers’ titles between 2014 and 2020 however has received solely two races for the reason that begin of the 2022 season.
Hamilton mentioned in Melbourne: “I’m beneath no assumptions it is going to be straightforward. I do not really feel the strain. The surface strain is non-existent for me. The strain is from inside and what I need to obtain.
“I’m not right here to show something to anyone. I’ve executed it time and time once more. I do know what it takes to do a great job and that is what I need to ship, for myself, and my household, for this group that I actually imagine deserve success.
“They’re so pushed and possibly they haven’t had as a lot success as they want and deserve. Simply need to work in the direction of and contribute to doing it.”
Hamilton mentioned it “seems like it will be shut” between Ferrari, McLaren, Pink Bull and Mercedes this season.
And he mentioned he nonetheless had work to do to carry out at his optimum at Ferrari, as a result of he was attending to grips with the group and automotive.
“I’m nonetheless studying this new automotive, which is quite a bit totally different to what I’ve pushed all by my profession,” Hamilton mentioned.
“Ferrari energy, in any case my profession with Mercedes, is a special really feel, totally different vibration.
“The earlier you may carry out to a better stage, the higher, however inevitably there’s a transition interval and a basis that must be constructed. Relationships, belief with everybody. Respect is given however belief is one thing constructed over time.
“I’ve had some not-so-spectacular years and I’m making an attempt to verify I’ve a greater one, however there will probably be a lot of elements go into that.”
‘Mr Ferrari’ Leclerc ‘fully fantastic’ with consideration on Hamilton
Hamilton is teamed with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari and mentioned he had been impressed by the 27-year-old’s “work ethic”.
“It isn’t too dissimilar to mine,” Hamilton mentioned. “Simply getting on with it. He’s very a lot Mr Ferrari and it has been actually cool to work alongside him.”
Leclerc joined Ferrari in 2019 and has been quicker than each his team-mates, Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. The Monaquese rejected any suggestion that he was “Mr Ferrari”.
“There isn’t a place for one specific driver in Ferrari,” Leclerc mentioned. “Ferrari is larger than any drivers. And that has all the time been the case. That is what makes Ferrari so particular. There’s help of the group and never one particular driver.
“Lewis is coming as a legend of the game so there may be much more consideration on him than me in the mean time however I’m fully fantastic with it. I fully perceive that. It is regular it’s that manner. It’s fantastic for me.”
Requested if he had given Hamilton any recommendation on integrating with Ferrari, Leclerc mentioned: “I actually do not assume Lewis wants any type of recommendation from me. I do know the surroundings greater than him however he has launched himself to the group completely and he already appears to be very a lot relaxed.
“It’s a lengthy course of, he’ll be taught the automotive and group extra. The recommendation I’ve given him to this point is usually about meals. He is aware of if he wants something I’m right here to reply his questions, no issues. However he wants much less recommendation from me than I do from him.”
Hamilton joined Ferrari with the goal of profitable a report eighth world title however Leclerc mentioned he, too, was decided to develop into champion.
“That is my one and solely goal and purpose and dream that is still to be ticked,” Leclerc mentioned. “I had fairly a number of desires rising up. One was to be an F1 driver, and to be a Ferrari driver, and to win Monza and Monaco, which I did. And now it is solely about being a world champion. That is my obsession.”
