Australian Grand Prix
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne Dates: 14 March-16 March Race begin: 04:00 GMT on Sunday, 16 March
Protection: Dwell radio commentary of follow and qualifying on BBC 5 Sports activities Further, race stay on BBC Radio 5 Dwell. Dwell 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 follow 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 feel it is a little bit bit early (to go for pole) as I proceed to be taught the automobile, however by no means say by no means.
“I’ll give it all the things and (I am) simply not placing an excessive amount of strain on. Try to take pleasure in it. I’ve some tempo to search out. I do know the place to search 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 staff at a race weekend had been “super-exciting” and that it “felt wonderful to get on the market and be in a Ferrari right here”.
He mentioned the automobile behaved very otherwise from the Mercedes, after 12 years with the German staff, 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 positively a bit higher however (I am) simply slowly constructing and getting a little bit bit quicker little by little.
“The automobile does not really feel unhealthy or something. It simply requires a unique manner of driving, so adjusting my driving model little by little however having fun with driving.”
And he mentioned he was nonetheless within the studying course of along with his new staff and automobile.
“I am nonetheless getting used to the set-up adjustments,” Hamilton mentioned. “I haven’t got them on name like I used to have at Mercedes as a result of I might been there so lengthy. I knew precisely all of the adjustments.
“I am nonetheless working by understanding what instruments we will 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 velocity.
“Long term was aggressive with the others as nicely,” Hamilton mentioned. “McLaren look fairly fast. Seems to be fairly shut up prime. It is simply typically been a enjoyable day simply to be right here in purple has been superior.”
Leclerc ‘concentrating on pole’
Leclerc mentioned he “needed to be cautious” however he was “concentrating on pole place”.
“We did 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 steadiness but however we’re in a a lot better place in comparison with Bahrain testing and there’s nonetheless some efficiency to search out.
“However that’s the identical for everybody. The automobiles are fairly new for everybody and it’s important to push it to grasp the place precisely is the restrict.
“It has been a strong first day and we have now to see the way it goes tomorrow after we push a bit extra.
“For certain McLaren is up there. Crimson 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 certain they are going to be within the combat and Mercedes look robust as nicely.”
Verstappen was seventh quickest for Crimson Bull, however didn’t full his quick lap on the delicate tyres after making a mistake at Flip Three.
On race tempo, Crimson Bull seemed to be the fourth quickest automobile behind Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes, however it was shut between the highest 4 and moist climate is anticipated on Sunday, which can combine issues up and is more likely to convey Verstappen into the combat for victory.
