Lewis Hamilton insists he feels no pressure to prove himself as he begins his Ferrari career at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time world champion left Mercedes after 12 seasons, during which they formed the most successful team-driver partnership in Formula 1 history.
Now 40, the Briton claimed six of his titles between 2014 and 2020 but has won just two races since the start of the 2022 season.
Speaking in Melbourne, Hamilton said: “I have no illusions that this will be easy. I don’t feel pressure. External pressure doesn’t exist for me—it’s all about what I expect from myself and what I want to achieve.
“I’m not here to prove anything to anyone. I’ve done that time and time again. I know what it takes to perform at a high level, and I want to deliver—for myself, my family, and this team that truly deserves success.
“They are incredibly motivated and may not have had the results they wanted in the past, but I want to contribute to changing that.”
Relaxed and smiling during Thursday’s press conference, Hamilton radiated the positivity that has defined his move to Ferrari. He described the lead-up to his debut with the team as “definitely the most exciting period of my life. I’m really enjoying it and can’t wait to get in the car.”
Looking ahead to the season, Hamilton expects a tight battle between Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes.
He acknowledged that he still has work to do to fully adapt to his new environment. “I’m still learning this car—it’s quite different from anything I’ve driven in my career,” he said.
“Switching to Ferrari power after spending my whole career with Mercedes means adjusting to a different feel and vibration.
“The faster you can reach peak performance, the better, but there’s always a transition period. Building relationships, trust—it takes time. Respect is given, but trust has to be earned.
“I’ve had some tough seasons recently, and I want to make sure this one is better. There are a lot of factors at play, but I’m determined to make it a great year.”
