How Ferrari anticipates Lewis Hamilton's performance in his F1 Melbourne GP debut

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Anticipation is reaching a fever pitch in the Ferrari team as the 2025 Formula 1 campaign approaches, with the Italian side eager to see how their bold new chapter unfolds.

The Scuderia concluded the previous season on a strong note, even if they fell short of clinching the constructors' title, which ultimately went to McLaren following the final race. Charles Leclerc put in a phenomenal drive in Abu Dhabi, carving his way through the field from the back row to secure a podium finish alongside then-teammate Carlos Sainz.

While Carlos Sainz delivered arguably the finest campaign of his Formula 1 career in 2024, Ferrari are confident that they have taken another step forward by bringing in Lewis Hamilton. The seven-time world champion, who joins from Mercedes, has shattered almost every major record in the sport, and his next objective is clear—winning an unprecedented eighth title with Formula 1's most legendary team.

Achieving that goal will be anything but straightforward. Charles Leclerc will be hungry to claim his first world championship, while McLaren's drivers are also aiming to mount a serious challenge—particularly if Max Verstappen's Red Bull is not as dominant as in previous years. Nevertheless, Hamilton arrives at Ferrari with sky-high expectations, and the Scuderia are determined to see their investment pay off. According to a report from the Italian daily newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport, the team has already outlined exactly what they are hoping for in 2025.

Ferrari Fully Expect Hamilton to be 'Super Competitive' at the Australian Grand Prix

Hamilton has already undertaken an extensive pre-season training regime, spending time at Ferrari's Fiorano circuit and testing in Barcelona to familiarize himself with his new surroundings. Although he suffered a crash during his Barcelona outing, he has now driven both the 2023 and 2024 cars—offering him some insight into what to expect from this year's machine.

His first opportunity to get behind the wheel of Ferrari's 2025 challenger will come in a shakedown at Fiorano, following the F1 75 event in London. That will be followed by three critical days of pre-season testing in Bahrain, where he will further refine his understanding of the car. In addition to on-track running, Lewis Hamilton has been putting in hours on Ferrari's state-of-the-art simulator. However, while simulator technology continues to improve, it remains an imperfect substitute for real-world track time.

Traditionally, Formula 1 pre-season testing leads straight into the opening race at Bahrain's Sakhir Circuit. However, due to the scheduling of Ramadan, the 2025 Formula 1 campaign will instead begin at the Albert Park circuit in Melbourne—a nostalgic throwback to Lewis Hamilton's own debut season in 2007, when the Australian Grand Prix served as the curtain-raiser.

According to Gazzetta dello Sport, Ferrari have no hesitation in declaring their belief that Hamilton will be “super competitive” when the lights go out in Melbourne. The team has been impressed with his rapid integration and the professionalism he has displayed in his first weeks under team principal Frédéric Vasseur. Despite turning 40, Hamilton remains as sharp as ever, and Ferrari do not anticipate him needing much time to adapt.

Hamilton's History at the Australian Grand Prix

Given his past performances at Albert Park, Ferrari have every reason to be optimistic about Hamilton's chances of success in Melbourne. The Briton made an immediate impact on his debut in 2007, securing a podium finish, before returning the following year to win the race—launching what would become his first championship-winning campaign.

However, not all of his Australian Grand Prix outings have been without controversy. In 2009, he was disqualified from the event following his involvement in the infamous 'Lie-gate' scandal. That said, Hamilton has still amassed an impressive record at Albert Park, claiming two victories (2008 and 2015) and standing on the podium on eight other occasions (2007, 2011, 2012, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2023).

Adding another strong result in Melbourne would be the ideal way for Hamilton to begin his Ferrari journey, and with both the team and driver confident in their potential, expectations could hardly be higher.

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