Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated debut with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix ended with a tenth-place finish.

While the seven-time world champion had a relatively uneventful race, a combination of strategic missteps, challenging track conditions, and some bad luck prevented him from securing a far better result.

How Hamilton’s First Ferrari Race Unfolded

Hamilton started the race from eighth place, maintaining his qualifying position off the line. Meanwhile, his teammate Charles Leclerc made an impressive start, overtaking Yuki Tsunoda and Alexander Albon to climb to fifth.

The race saw an early safety car deployment following incidents involving Jack Doohan and Carlos Sainz, but Hamilton’s race remained steady, if unspectacular, until lap 34.

For much of the race, Hamilton found himself stuck behind Albon and Tsunoda, unable to make significant progress.

In the tricky track conditions, he appeared focused on bringing the car home safely rather than taking unnecessary risks.

However, Ferrari’s strategy and race engineers struggled to capitalize on opportunities, leaving Hamilton unable to challenge for a higher position.

Missed Opportunities and Challenges

Despite the lack of on-track drama, Hamilton’s debut highlighted the potential for stronger performances in the future.

The difficult conditions and strategic challenges underscored the learning curve for both Hamilton and Ferrari as they adapt to their new partnership.

While the result may not have met expectations, the race provided valuable insights and experience for the team moving forward.

As Hamilton continues to settle into his new role with Ferrari, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how the partnership evolves over the course of the season.

The Australian Grand Prix may not have been the dream start many hoped for, but it marks the beginning of a new chapter in Hamilton’s storied career.

However, a second safety car, prompted by Fernando Alonso’s crash, gave all drivers the chance to switch to slick tires without losing time.

Although more rain was forecasted, the intermediate tires were already heavily worn, making it extremely challenging to keep the cars on track. Alonso’s incident occurred while he was pushing hard to catch Pierre Gasly, highlighting the precarious conditions.

After switching to the hard tires, Hamilton struggled to make progress on the restart, remaining stuck behind Alexander Albon and Yuki Tsunoda.

However, the real turning point came when heavier rain arrived in Sector 3, creating chaos and presenting a missed opportunity for Ferrari and Hamilton.

The rain hit hardest in the final sector, where Lando Norris, Oscar Piastri, and Max Verstappen were battling for the lead. Piastri, under pressure from Verstappen for second place, made a costly mistake by running wide at Turn 11.

Attempting to recover, he went off again at Turn 13, ending up stuck in the grass.

The conditions in the final corners of the Albert Park circuit became extremely treacherous. However, deciding how to respond was far from straightforward, as the rain was localized and not expected to last long. This led to a mix of strategies across the grid.

Several drivers, including Norris, George Russell, Albon, Lance Stroll, Kimi Antonelli, Nico Hülkenberg, and Gabriel Bortoleto, opted to pit for intermediate tires.

This gamble paid off handsomely, as they gained significant positions. Bortoleto, however, made a mistake at Turn 12 and hit the wall, prompting another Safety Car deployment. Those who pitted on lap 44 reaped the rewards, securing valuable points.

Meanwhile, Verstappen, Tsunoda, Hamilton, Pierre Gasly, and Charles Leclerc stayed out on slick tires. Ferrari’s critical error was delaying Hamilton’s pit stop by two laps, causing him to lose positions unnecessarily, including to Gasly.

Had Ferrari made a well-timed stop, Hamilton could have challenged for fourth place, a position ultimately secured by his Mercedes replacement, Antonelli. In hindsight, Hamilton’s frustration is understandable, but the decision was far from easy.

Ferrari may have been aiming for a different strategy, hoping to capitalize on a potential red flag or a 1-2 finish if Hamilton had taken the lead.

Ultimately, the race highlighted the fine margins and tough calls that define Formula 1, leaving Hamilton and Ferrari to reflect on what might have been.

But it was that split-second decision a simple call to the pit box that made all the difference.

Instead of fighting for a podium spot against his former teammate George Russell, Hamilton found himself behind an Aston Martin and a Kick Sauber, teams that hadn’t been in contention until that moment.

This is the thrilling essence of Formula 1 strategy and the sport itself, where milliseconds and quick thinking can change everything.

After finally pitting for intermediate tires, Hamilton found himself in ninth place with just seven laps remaining, ahead of teammate Charles Leclerc.

Leclerc, who had spun earlier in the race, lost positions and ultimately fell behind Hamilton. While the result was far from ideal, it underscored the fine margins and high-stakes decisions that define Formula 1, leaving Hamilton and Ferrari to reflect on what could have been.

However, it didn’t take long for Charles Leclerc to reclaim his position. The Monegasque driver overtook Hamilton just one lap after the restart, dropping the British driver to 10th.

Both Hamilton and Leclerc managed to get past Pierre Gasly’s Alpine on lap 54, but the drama wasn’t over yet.

The final blow came from Oscar Piastri. The McLaren driver executed a bold and risky move on the outside of the fast Turn 9, making contact with Hamilton and damaging his front wing.

Piastri’s aggressive overtake pushed Hamilton back to 10th, where he ultimately finished.

It was a challenging race for Hamilton, who is still adapting to the SF-25. His cautious approach, avoiding unnecessary risks and overdriving, was evident throughout the race.

While he only scored one point, he managed to bring the car home safely on a difficult track where seasoned drivers like Fernando Alonso and Carlos Sainz ended up in the wall.

Hamilton will leave Melbourne with mixed feelings, reflecting on what might have been. Despite the tough debut, the race highlighted the potential for growth as he continues to settle into his new team and car.

Lewis Hamilton is navigating a tough start with Ferrari, confessing he’s unfamiliar with the rain settings for the SF-25.

The seven-time world champion secured eighth place in qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday, finishing just behind his new teammate, Charles Leclerc.

Ferrari had hoped to challenge McLaren for pole position at Albert Park, but both cars ended up on the fourth row of the grid, trailing Yuki Tsunoda and Alex Albon, leaving the team disappointed.

Speaking to Sky Sports F1, Hamilton shared, “I generally feel good. Yeah, I had a really good time out there. Everything has been a first this weekend—my first P1 with Ferrari, my first practice sessions and qualifying. It’s been a lot of work to adapt to this car, which is so different from what I’ve experienced before.”

He added, “But it’s been interesting. I definitely didn’t expect us to be… I didn’t know we’d be nine-tenths off, or eight-tenths off today, but there’s a lot to analyze for sure.”

Looking ahead to the race, Hamilton said, “We’ll just get our heads down and start working to try and figure out why we’re not on pace with the frontrunners. Tomorrow is going to be a challenge. I’ve never even driven this car in the rain. I don’t even know the rain settings, so I’ve got to study that tonight, and it’ll be another learning experience tomorrow.”

Despite the challenges, Hamilton avoided major issues, staying clear of the elimination zone even after spinning at the end of his final Q2 lap. He was close to Leclerc in Q3, but Sunday’s race promises to be a tougher test.

Lewis Hamilton’s high-profile move to Ferrari has been described as having “all the hallmarks of a fairytale,” with expectations soaring as he prepares for his Melbourne debut in the iconic red.

Sky F1 pundit Bernie Collins believes that Hamilton’s late-career switch could breathe new life into the seven-time World Champion, potentially ushering in “Lewis 2.0” on the Formula 1 grid.

Can Ferrari Unlock ‘Lewis 2.0’ in 2025?

Collins, a former Aston Martin head of strategy, admits she was taken aback when she first heard about Hamilton’s decision to leave Mercedes after 12 seasons and six world titles. However, a year later, that initial shock has transformed into excitement about what the sport’s most successful driver can achieve alongside his new teammate, Charles Leclerc, at Ferrari.

“This time last year I was shocked, but the more I’ve seen Lewis in red, the more I’ve seen his excitement at being in that car, he’s like a revitalised Lewis,” Collins told PlanetF1.com.

She highlighted that Hamilton has always thrived when faced with a challenge, a sentiment echoed by her partner, Ryan McGarva, who previously worked with Hamilton at Mercedes. “My other half [Ryan McGarva] worked with Lewis for a little while [at Mercedes] and tells me Lewis always did well in a year where he was challenged and up for it.”

Collins believes that Ferrari itself, as well as the battle against Leclerc, will be major tests for Hamilton. “Ferrari is going to be a challenge, beating Leclerc is going to be a challenge. So I think we’re going to see Lewis 2.0.”

Embracing the Ferrari Project

Since officially joining Ferrari and reuniting with team principal Fred Vasseur—who was instrumental in Hamilton’s early single-seater career—the Brit has fully immersed himself in his new environment.

Hamilton set up his motorhome close to Fiorano, Ferrari’s private racetrack, and even started learning Italian. Driving a Scuderia Ferrari car for the first time was, in his own words, “one of the best feelings” of his life.

“I don’t have the words to really explain just how excited I am,” Hamilton shared in a BBC interview. “I’m embarking on something brand new for me and something I didn’t think would happen when I turned 40.”

The magnitude of the moment hasn’t been lost on the F1 legend. “I’m still like pinching myself. I’m going to be starting a grand prix in red. I mean, wow.”

The Challenge Ahead

Ever since news of Hamilton’s move broke in February last year, the impact has been felt across the F1 world. With the most successful and influential driver in history now part of its most legendary team, expectations are sky-high.

Collins believes that Hamilton’s drive to compete has been reignited after several frustrating seasons at Mercedes. “I think we’re going to see a step up from the last three years where he’s been a bit upset that Mercedes weren’t going to turn things around.”

Since losing the 2021 title, Hamilton has not been in direct contention for a championship, but Collins predicts that is about to change. “Now we’re going to see Lewis fighting. It has all the hallmarks of a fairytale.”

The Key Battles for Hamilton

Currently, Hamilton is ranked fourth in the Drivers’ ante-post betting odds, behind Lando Norris, Max Verstappen, and his new teammate, Leclerc.

Collins identifies a crucial challenge for Hamilton: “The big question is can he beat Leclerc in qualifying? Can he have the upper hand in the race? Qualifying is going to be Lewis’ challenge.”

She believes that a strong start could set the tone for his season. “If he can come out rolling in the first few races it’s going to be exciting. If he gets a taste of it in the first few races he’s going to be pretty hard to stop.”