Lewis Hamilton faced significant challenges during his debut race with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix, held on March 16, 2025. The weather was tumultuous, featuring rain and confusion, making the event particularly difficult for the seven-time world champion. Hamilton, having spent twelve successful years with Mercedes, found himself struggling to adapt to his new team as he raced against previous teammate and rival, Charles Leclerc.
Toto Wolff, team principal of Mercedes, highlighted the emotional complexity of Hamilton's departure from the team. He admitted, "Wenn ich auf die Bildschirme geschaut habe, fühlte es sich manchmal so an, als hätten wir drei Piloten. Ich habe auf RUS geschaut, auf ANT und auf HAM - bis du realisierst: HAM gehört gar nicht mehr zu uns, sondern ist jetzt bei Ferrari," reflecting on how strange it was for him to see Hamilton donning red instead of the signature silver.
Although Hamilton was not competing for his previous team, Wolff still acknowledged his importance to the Mercedes family, stating, "Lewis ist ein Freund und wird immer Teil der Mercedes-Familie sein. Aber wir trauern ihm nicht hinterher und können auch nicht sagen, ob es besser oder schlechter ohne ihn ist. Es ist einfach anders. Die Dynamik [im Team] hat sich geändert," showcasing the personal aspect of the split at Mercedes.
Hamilton's performance during the weekend left much to be desired. He qualified 8th on the grid, clocking 0.877 seconds behind the leader and 0.218 seconds behind Leclerc, who was competing for his own position within the team. Hamilton attributed his lack of pace to several factors, particularly his unfamiliarity with the Ferrari SF-25 and the car's Brembo braking system, which he found distinct from what he had used at Mercedes. "Ich dachte ehrlicherweise, dass ich in diesem Prozess [das Auto zu lernen] schon weiter wäre, als ich hierherkam," he confessed after his qualifying effort, indicating the steep learning curve he faced.
The race day proved to be even more challenging as rain disrupted the proceedings. Hamilton concluded the race finishing 10th, 22.473 seconds behind the leader and 2.647 seconds behind his teammate, Leclerc, who ended 8th. Hamilton's struggles with the car were evident as he described the stability issues he experienced. "Es wird ein bisschen ein Schock für das System sein," he expressed on the eve of the race, sharing his concerns about the effects of wet conditions on the unfamiliar vehicle.
Charles Leclerc noted, "Wir haben nicht mit der Strecke Schritt gehalten," acknowledging the challenges Ferrari faced as the weather shifted, which affected their performance and strategy during this decisive race weekend. Both drivers conceded they had not adequately adjusted their warm-up approaches to the tires under such conditions, leading to suboptimal results. The mechanical setup tools of the Ferrari also presented difficulties, as Hamilton admitted he was not as well-versed with them as he had been during his time at Mercedes.
Former Haas team boss Günther Steiner pointed out Ferrari's confidence prior to the start of the season might have been overly optimistic. He remarked, "Die waren ein bisschen zu selbstsicher von der Entwicklung im Winter," expressing disappointment concerning their performance relative to competitors who had seemingly found more pace.
With much to learn from this disappointing showing, Hamilton remains optimistic. He plans to implement changes based on his experiences during this first race with Ferrari, stating, "Ich kann viel mitnehmen und ich habe einige Veränderungen, die ich für nächste Woche durchführen werde und dann werde ich sehen, wie es damit läuft." This determination signals Hamilton's resilience and potential for improvement heading to the next race.
Moving forward, both Mercedes and Ferrari have their work cut out to refine their strategies and performances as they gear up for the upcoming race weekend. Wolff acknowledged this when he noted the necessity for Mercedes to seek improvements, asserting, "Wenn wir aus eigener Kraft um Rennsiege und die Meisterschaft kämpfen wollen, dann müssen wir aber definitiv noch was finden,” indicating the tough road they face compared to formidable competitors like McLaren and Red Bull.
Hamilton's debut with Ferrari has laid the groundwork for what promises to be an exciting season filled with learning curves and stiff competition. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as he attempts to find his footing within the team and redefine his legacy within the Formula 1 arena. Only time will tell how quickly he can bridge the gaps and reclaim his status as one of the top contenders on the grid.
