Hamilton Finished 10th as He Struggled in Ferrari Debut

(The Post News)– Lewis Hamilton’s highly anticipated Ferrari debut didn’t go as planned, with the seven-time world champion admitting the car was extremely difficult to control in the wet. The 40-year-old, who made a shock switch from Mercedes, finished a disappointing 10th in Melbourne, trailing behind teammate Charles Leclerc and struggling to match the pace of McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes.

Reflecting on the rain-hit race, which saw multiple crashes and several safety car interventions, Hamilton admitted the challenge was greater than he had expected. He added that he was simply relieved to have avoided the barriers, as the car constantly felt like it was veering towards them.

The wet conditions added an extra challenge, as it was Hamilton’s first real test in the Ferrari under such circumstances. At one stage, he briefly led the race during a flurry of pit stops but later expressed frustration over missed strategic opportunities. He was heard telling his race engineer that they had overlooked a crucial chance to take advantage of track position.

A delayed switch back to intermediate tyres saw Hamilton tumble down the order, but despite the setbacks, he remained focused on the positives. He explained that he was still adjusting to the power unit in wet conditions and adapting to a steering wheel setup that was completely different from what he was used to. He also noted that while he had managed to stay out long enough to briefly take the lead, the team lacked accurate guidance on incoming rain, which ultimately cost them.

While it wasn’t the dream start Ferrari and Hamilton had hoped for, the season is long, and the Briton will be looking to bounce back in the coming races as he settles into his new surroundings.