Hamilton confident in Ferrari's potential amid challenging season start

Red Bull Racing/Red Bull Content Pool

In the midst of a challenging season start, Lewis Hamilton remains resolute about Ferrari's prospects, dismissing concerns surrounding the team's current performance. The seven-time world champion, who made headlines with his high-profile move from Mercedes to Ferrari over the winter, acknowledges the heightened scrutiny faced by the historic Formula 1 team but is confident in the squad's capacity for a turnaround.

Hamilton's debut with Ferrari was highly anticipated, yet the team has struggled to match expectations, with only a sprint race win in China to show from the first four grands prix. Despite the lack of podium finishes, Hamilton stays optimistic about the future, asserting that the intense spotlight on Ferrari is a natural consequence of its storied legacy in the sport.

"Yes -- I mean, on one side it's to be expected," Hamilton commented on the media's portrayal of Ferrari's start. "It's the greatest team in Formula 1 history, and it's that special, and of course, there's more clicks and stories that are written about it. And people have opinions. It's not always been smooth sailing."

Hamilton stressed the importance of time and collaboration in achieving success with the team. "You can't work with a team and change things overnight. We've spent this time to really get to know each other. There are changes that are short term that we will do together — keep all the greatness and keep building the areas that we could be stronger in."

In last weekend's Bahrain Grand Prix, Hamilton exhibited signs of progress by adapting his driving style to the Ferrari's demands, leading to improved lap times and overtaking six cars. He emphasized the significance of this adaptation, noting the ease of falling back into old habits under pressure and the importance of consistent practice moving forward.

Looking ahead to the upcoming race in Saudi Arabia, Hamilton is hopeful that the lessons learned in Bahrain will contribute to continued improvement. "That's the goal," he stated, emphasizing his determination to implement the new driving techniques consistently.

While the journey with Ferrari has had its ups and downs, Hamilton remains unwavering in his belief that the team will ultimately reach its objectives. "Everyone in this team really, their heart is so in it. We're riding the rollercoaster ride up and down together. And I have no doubts that we will get to where we plan to be. It's just going to take time."

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