Hamilton's Ferrari debut proves challenging at Australian GP
MELBOURNE, Australia – Lewis Hamilton's inaugural race with Ferrari at the Australian Grand Prix concluded in a modest 10th place, an underwhelming start given the anticipation surrounding his move. "It went a lot worse than I thought it would go," Hamilton admitted post-race.
Unlike celebrated Ferrari debuts from legends such as Nigel Mansell, Kimi Räikkönen, and Fernando Alonso, Hamilton's performance never posed a threat to the frontrunners. Ferrari's typical struggles were evident as the team faced mixed communications and missed opportunities, hindering their overall competitiveness.
Nevertheless, Hamilton maintained his calm demeanor, acknowledging the learning curve ahead. "Definitely a big crash course today," he commented. "I'm just grateful I kept it out of the wall."
The radio communications between Hamilton and his new engineer, Riccardo Adami, underscored their growing pains. "Just don't repeat everything [you say], please," Hamilton requested at one point, highlighting the adjustments needed in their partnership.
Moments of disarray peaked when conflicting messages about the weather led to costly strategy decisions. "Ah s***, we should have come in," Hamilton lamented upon realizing rain was imminent.
Despite the struggles, Hamilton remained optimistic, praising Adami’s efforts and anticipating improvements. "We’re learning about each other bit by bit," he noted. Team principal Frédéric Vasseur also acknowledged the need for better communication.
Hamilton and Ferrari will aim to refine their approach in the upcoming Chinese Grand Prix.
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