Hamilton: Ferrari success hinges on 'respect and trust'

Lewis Hamilton is optimistic about his prospects with Ferrari, but the seven-time world champion acknowledges that building a strong foundation with his new team will take time.

The Briton is eager to leave behind the struggles of his final years at Mercedes, where podiums became elusive with the advent of the sport’s 2022 ground-effect rules.

But after 12 years at Mercedes, Hamilton is facing a steep adjustment curve at the Scuderia, with new team dynamics, unfamiliar processes, and fresh faces, and he expects the season’s opening stretch will be about forging those critical bonds.

Ahead of this weekend’s season opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton outlined his goals for his new chapter.

Building Trust and Foundations

"Joining a new team, the sooner you can get to performing at a high level and get results, the better. But inevitably, there is a transition period and there is a foundation that's needed to be built,” he explained.

"I'm sure both of us [he and Carlos Sainz who has moved to Williams], that's what we've been doing that over the past couple of months, and the first half of the season really is that foundation building - those relationships, the trust you're building with absolutely every single person within the team that you get to work in.

“And it's not something you just step in the door; trust and respect... Whilst respect is given, trust is something that's built over time.

"I think for me, of course the goal is to win and the goal is to take the team forwards. I've had some not-so-spectacular years, and I'm trying to see if I can have a better year than the last three.

“There will be lots of factors which will connect to that.”

Bonding with the SF-25

Hamilton’s success also hinges on mastering the SF-25, and pre-season testing in Bahrain offered early encouragement. Unlike the Mercedes cars that frustrated him in recent years, he found joy behind Ferrari’s wheel.

On day two, he shared his initial impressions: "I think it's a bit early to say but I am really enjoying the car. We are slowly bonding I think. So far, I really enjoy driving this car."

By the final day, his enthusiasm held, though he tempered it with realism: "McLaren did a great run yesterday, and I think also Max did a decent one today, given the temperatures," he said.

"It's hard to know what fuel loads everyone is running, as we're all doing our own different programmes, so you have to take everything with a pinch of salt.

"McLaren won the constructors last year. We expect them to be one of the quickest, if not the quickest, as with Red Bull, who dominated for many, many years.

"We've definitely got some work to do to improve."
With Ferrari showing potential but trailing pacesetters like McLaren and Red Bull, Hamilton’s first season is a balancing act—blending integration with ambition.

His sights are set on wins, but he knows trust and teamwork will pave the way. Melbourne looms as his Ferrari debut, and the road to redemption starts now.

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