Ferrari, Hamilton: “What an emotion, the first one in red! The goal is to win.”

Lewis Hamilton spoke at a press conference ahead of the first race of the season in Melbourne.

At 2:30 AM tomorrow night, the 2025 Formula 1 season will officially begin with the first free practice session. It will be the first official session in which Lewis Hamilton will wear Ferrari’s colors, following various tests in Fiorano, Bahrain, and Barcelona. A historic moment that the seven-time world champion addressed as the main topic during Thursday’s press conference.

Here are the words of the British driver: “I’m incredibly fortunate to have had an extraordinary career in Formula 1. My debut with McLaren in 2007 was epic, as was starting a new adventure with Mercedes. Now, to find myself at the beginning of a new chapter with Ferrari, it reminds me a lot of that first season. For years, I’ve walked through the paddock looking at the red garage, and now I’m finally inside that garage. It’s really a special feeling.”

Hamilton then added: “Over the years, the greatest pressure has always been the one I’ve put on myself, far more than any external expectations. Here at Ferrari, I haven’t been put under any pressure, and that allows me to fully focus on the work that needs to be done. I have high expectations for myself, I know what I can bring to the team, and I know what it will take to achieve our goals. Now it’s just about keeping my head down and working hard. I’m approaching this weekend with an open mindset, ready to learn and adapt.”

Adaptation will be key this season: “It’s about entering the season and finding the right rhythm. I’m still getting to know this car, which is very different from the ones I’ve driven in the past. After so many years with Mercedes engines, switching to Ferrari’s power is something new: a different feeling, a different vibration. Here, there’s a completely different way of working.

The entire team approaches things with a different perspective, and that makes everything even more exciting and fascinating. Without a doubt, this is the most thrilling period of my life, and I want to enjoy it to the fullest. We’ve only had three days on track, so it’s hard to say exactly where we stand compared to our rivals. The only thing we can do is stay focused on our work. It looks like it’s going to be a very tight battle between all of us.”