Lewis Hamilton remains optimistic despite difficult Ferrari debut
Hamilton's debut for the Italian giants ended in a disappointing 10th at last weekend's season-opening round in Australia.
The 40-year-old admitted he was low on confidence following the rain-hit race.
But speaking ahead of his second appearance for Ferrari in China, Hamilton said: 'It is not a moment to throw the toys out of the pram.
'It wasn't the race that we want but we move forward and everyone here has their heads high and the energy is still good in the garage. We are not defined by that, and we will not defined by one race.'
For much of his first appearance in red, Hamilton ran in eighth, trailing Williams' Alex Albon, while politely asking new race engineer Riccardo Adami to 'leave it to me' on several occasions.
Adami was urging Hamilton to use an overtake button in his Ferrari.
New team, new race engineer for Lewis #F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/Aquzh45ViX
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 16, 2025
But the seven-time world champion explained: 'Everyone over-egged that (the radio exchanges). It was literally just a back and forth.
'I was very polite. I wasn't swearing. I was really struggling with the car and I needed full focus on a couple of things.
'We are getting to know each other but there are no issues between us at all.
'Go and listen to the radio calls with others and their engineers. They are far worse.
'The conversation that Max (Verstappen) has with his engineer over the years, and the abuse that poor guy has taken.
'With us, we are literally just getting to know each other.
'Afterwards, I was like, 'hey, bro, I don't need that bit of information. But if you want to give me this, this is the place I'd like to do it. This is how I'm feeling in the car. And at these points, this is when I do and don't need the information'.
'And that's what it's about. There's no issues. It's done with a smiley face and we move forward.'
This view of Piastri's overtake on Hamilton 🤩👏
🎥 @_aarava#F1 #AusGP pic.twitter.com/Q0YuiilN4P
— Formula 1 (@F1) March 17, 2025
Heading into this weekend's round in Shanghai, McLaren appear to hold an advantage over the rest of the field with Hamilton's former Mercedes team-mate George Russell even claiming the British team should win every race.
Lando Norris leads the standings after his triumph in Australia.
Hamilton, bidding for a record eighth title, said: 'I don't think we are on the pace of McLaren – they have done a great job and look very strong – but we can close the gap.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Washington Post
15 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Marin Cilic beats No. 4 Jack Draper to lead the way for the 30-somethings at Wimbledon
LONDON — Marin Cilic helped make Thursday a great day for the 30-somethings at Wimbledon . The 36-year-old Cilic, the 2014 U.S. Open champion and 2017 Wimbledon runner-up, stunned fourth-seeded Jack Draper 6-4, 6-3, 1-6, 6-4 in a second-round match on No. 1 Court to eliminate the top British player from the grass-court Grand Slam tournament.
New York Times
17 minutes ago
- New York Times
Arsenal head of recruitment James Ellis to be promoted to technical director
Arsenal's head of recruitment James Ellis is set to be promoted to the role of technical director. The Athletic previously reported that new sporting director Andrea Berta is looking to expand the group working around him following the departure of predecessor Jason Ayto. Ellis, who joined the north London club from Fulham in the summer of 2021, is now set to take on more responsibility alongside the Italian. Advertisement Arsenal were in talks with Matteo Tognozzi, formerly of Juventus and Granada, over the role but that is not now expected to result in an appointment. Ellis was originally a first-team scout but was given a bigger role under previous sporting director Edu. Arsenal will be pleased to retain Ellis' services: his burgeoning reputation has attracted interest from other clubs. Ayto held the sporting director position on an interim basis following Edu's exit in November before the club instead opted for former Atletico Madrid executive Berta. Berta moved to Arsenal after 12 years in Spain and has overseen one signing so far with goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga arriving from Chelsea. Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi is expected to be confirmed as an Arsenal player soon while the club have agreed a deal for Brentford captain Christian Norgaard. ()
Washington Post
21 minutes ago
- Washington Post
Former F1 race steward Tim Mayer to run for FIA presidency, reports say
SILVERSTONE, England — American ex-Formula 1 race steward Tim Mayer is set to announce he is running for the presidency of governing body the FIA, media reports said on Thursday. A news conference was scheduled for Friday near the Silverstone circuit ahead of British Grand Prix practice to announce an unnamed candidate for the FIA presidency. The BBC and specialist auto racing sites reported the candidate was Mayer. Mayer is the son of McLaren team co-founder Teddy Mayer. He has held senior roles in U.S. racing series and was a long-time F1 steward until last year. The BBC reported at the time that Mayer said he was fired after FIA President Mohammed Ben Sulayem objected to his role in an appeal filed by the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, in relation to a FIA fine. The announcement comes just over a week after rally champion Carlos Sainz, Sr. ruled out standing against Ben Sulayem. Ben Sulayem, elected to the post in 2021, has faced criticism over his management. In April, Robert Reid resigned as FIA deputy president for sport in protest at how the organization is run . Ben Sulayem had also been at odds with some F1 drivers over his crackdown on swearing , before the penalties were reduced in May. Mercedes driver George Russell, who is a director of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, said on Thursday he would welcome a contested election for the FIA presidency. 'I think in life, competition is always good because it brings out the best in people,' Russell said. ___ AP auto racing:
