The seven-time champion in Formula 1, Lewis Hamilton, stated without modesty that this season Ferrari has the best driver pair in the history of the competition.
The new driver of the “reds” thinks that he and his teammate Charles Leclerc currently represent the strongest F1 couple that any team has ever had in the strongest auto-moto competition.
“We are probably not the strongest team pair in the history of F1,” said the seven-time world champion.
Ferrari’s new driver Lewis Hamilton claims he is fully prepared for the start of the new Formula 1 season. Lewis Hamilton insists he is “as well prepared as possible” given the short period he has had to adapt to Ferrari before his first race weekend with the team, at the season opener in Melbourne next weekend.
The Briton will make his debut in the iconic red car at Albert Park, which will open the Formula 1 season for the first time since 2019.
The Australian Grand Prix will be held on Sunday, March 16, from 4am CET.
Hamilton made his debut in Melbourne on his two previous debuts with a new team – in 2007 with McLaren (third place) and in 2013 with Mercedes (fifth place). Now, at 40, he says he can’t wait to get started on the marathon 24-race season.
“It’s been a long winter, but it’s also been a short one. I’m very grateful, we had a good test last week and I can’t believe the first race is next week so we’re getting ready for that. I’m excited. We couldn’t have prepared better in the short time we’ve had and we’ve got a lot to learn, but I’m excited and I love racing so much. I like all the other things less, but I really love racing. When I come to Melbourne I always think of my first race and now I’m coming to something completely new and I didn’t expect to be here at 40,” said Hamilton.
Lewis Hamilton is not hiding his excitement ahead of his first appearance in the red Ferrari at the Formula 1 season opener in Australia.
“I’m still pinching myself. Next week, when I get to the race, I’ll start the Grand Prix in red – wow! I can’t describe how excited I am. I’m trying to stay calm, but it will be incredible to turn up in the red car.” Is Ferrari in contention for victory in Melbourne?
While McLaren look like the team to beat after an impressive pre-season test, Ferrari also look like a contender for a top result.
Charles Leclerc, who scored more points than any other driver in the second half of last season, has made it clear that Ferrari’s aim is to end a 17-year title drought.
Speaking at the same event in Italy, which marked 20 years of Ferrari and Puma’s partnership, Leclerc said:
“I’m super motivated. There’s been a lot of work behind the scenes and we want to win. We’ll see where we are after the first race and build from there, but the motivation is huge and we definitely want to get Ferrari back to the top.”
