Lewis Hamilton says he is “slowly building” in his new Ferrari and getting faster “bit by bit” ahead of Australian GP qualifying, after finishing fifth-fastest in Friday practice on an opening day to F1 2025 headed by team-mate Charles Leclerc.
The seven-time champion’s first race weekend as a Ferrari driver at F1’s 2025 season-opener in Melbourne has been highly anticipated around the sport for months, with Hamilton himself saying on Thursday that he was currently in the “most exciting period of my life”.
Hitting a sun-kissed Albert Park track in Ferrari’s SF-25 car for the first time on Friday, Hamilton opened his debut weekend in red by finishing 12th-fastest in the opening practice sessions, six tenths away from new team-mate Leclerc who took third.
In an early-season boost for Ferrari, Leclerc then outpaced title favourites McLaren in the more representative second session with Hamilton this time finishing slightly closer to the sister car, albeit still four tenths back in fifth place and clearly with more pace still to find.
“It’s (been) a super exciting build-up to this week and it felt amazing to get out there and be in a Ferrari here,” said Hamilton after second practice.
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Sky Sports News’ Craig Slater analyses how Lewis Hamilton’s first practice sessions as a Ferrari driver went at the Australian Grand Prix
“Honestly, the car felt so much different to what I’ve ever experienced coming to this track, so it took a little bit of bedding in through P1.
“P2 was definitely a littler better but just building. We’re slowly building and getting a little bit faster bit by bit.”
Hamilton has already spoken about how different the experience of driving a Ferrari is compared with a Mercedes, whose works team he had driven for since 2013 and whose engines have powered his entire F1 career before this year.
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FIRST LOOK: Lewis Hamilton takes to the track for his Ferrari debut and follows out Red Bull rival Max Verstappen at the Australian Grand Prix.
Asked how the SF-25 differed to other cars he had driven around Albert Park, where he is the record eight-time pole-sitter, Hamilton said: “Just different, just a lot different.
“But the car doesn’t feel bad or anything, it just requires a different way of driving. So, adjusting my driving style bit by bit, but enjoying driving.”
More to follow…
Sky Sports F1’s live Australian GP schedule
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Strategy analyst and former Aston Martin Head of Strategy Bernie Collins breaks down your best chances of winning the opening race of the F1 calendar, the Australian Grand Prix
Saturday March 15
- 12.10am: F3 Sprint*
- 1.10am: Australian GP Practice Three (session begins at 1.30am)*
- 3.10am: F2 Sprint*
- 4.15am: Australian GP Qualifying build-up*
- 5am: AUSTRALIAN GP QUALIFYING*
- 7am: Ted’s Qualifying Notebook*
- 7.30am: Australian GP Qualifying Replay* (9am on Sky Showcase)
- 9.55pm: F3 Feature Race*
Sunday March 16
- 12.25am: F2 Feature Race*
- 2.30am: Australian GP build-up: Grand Prix Sunday*
- 4am: THE AUSTRALIAN GRAND PRIX*
- 6am: Australian GP reaction: Chequered Flag*
- 7am: Ted’s Notebook*
- 7.55am: Australian GP race replay
- 10am: Australian GP highlights (also on Sky Showcase)
- 7pm: Villeneuve Pironi – Racing’s Untold Tragedy
*Also on Sky Sports Main Event
Watch all 24 race weekends from the 2025 Formula 1 season live on Sky Sports F1, starting with the Australian GP this weekend. Stream Sky Sports with NOW – No contract, cancel anytime