'I don't feel pressure to prove anything', says Hamilton ahead of Ferrari debut

The 40-year-old is the seven-time world champion and left Mercedes after 12 seasons with the team at the end of the 2024 season.

Both him and Mercedes became the most successful driver-team combination in Formula 1 history during their time together, with six of his world titles coming between 2014 and 2020. But he has won just two races since the start of the 2022 season.

"I am under no assumptions it will be easy. I don't feel the pressure. The outside pressure is non-existent for me. The pressure is from within and what I want to achieve," said Hamilton in Melbourne.

"I am not here to prove anything to anybody. I have done it time and time again. I know what it takes to do a good job and that's what I want to deliver, for myself, and my family, for this team that I really believe deserve success.

"They are so driven and maybe they have not had as much success as they would like and deserve. Just want to work towards and contribute to doing it."

Hamilton acknowledged that the race for the titles this season is going to be close, with plenty of competition between Ferrari, McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull.

But during the press conference, he made it clear that he had no regrets at changing teams, describing this point in time as "definitely the most exciting period of my life. I'm really enjoying it, and I'm so excited to get in the car".

"I’m coming into this weekend with a very open mind. It's about getting into a season and getting into a good rhythm."@LewisHamilton's words ahead of his first weekend with Scuderia Ferrari HP

— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) March 13, 2025

Despite his positivity and optimism, he also acknowledged that there is still work to do in order to perform at his top level with Ferrari.

"I am still learning this new car, which is quite a lot different to what I have driven all through my career," Hamilton said.

"Ferrari power, after all my career with Mercedes, is a different feel, different vibration.

"The sooner you can perform to a higher level, the better, but inevitably there is a transition period and a foundation that needs to be built. Relationships, trust with everyone. Respect is given but trust is something built over time.