Lewis Hamilton struggles with Ferrari, qualifies eighth in Australian GP

In Melbourne, Australia, on March 15, 2025, Lewis Hamilton faced challenges during his first qualifying session with Ferrari for the Australian Grand Prix, ending up in eighth position. The qualifying event took place under hot conditions, where McLaren's Lando Norris surged ahead to secure pole position, aided by his teammate Oscar Piastri, making it a McLaren lockout of the front row. Hamilton, alongside teammate Charles Leclerc, who qualified seventh, experienced an underwhelming session, failing to meet expectations as they both fell behind competitors from Racing Bulls and Williams. Hamilton acknowledged that his performance highlighted the learning curve involved in adapting to Ferrari's car. He experienced a spin during the session, which contributed to the difficulties in his qualifying run and raised concerns about being nearly a second off Norris's pole lap time. Despite this, Hamilton remained optimistic and expressed that he felt good overall while driving, stating his eagerness to learn and improve. He emphasized that more adaptation was needed to unlock the car's potential, as he was still learning the team's strategies and settings. As the race approached, rain was forecasted, which Hamilton noted could impact the race dynamics positively for him, given his comfort with wet weather conditions. He planned to study the rain settings of the car, marking this as an essential step in preparing for his first race with Ferrari. Hamilton conceded the close gap in qualifying time to Leclerc, acknowledging his teammate's extensive experience with the team over the last seven years. The upcoming race was perceived as a significant challenge for Hamilton, highlighting the steep learning curve he faces while adjusting to a new team and car. The atmosphere in Melbourne was electric as fans celebrated the initial success of McLaren, which showcased the competitive nature of the season thus far. The combination of Hamilton's previous accolades and the pressure of high expectations from Ferrari created a narrative of intrigue around his performance. He maintained a determined outlook, ensuring that despite the struggles, he would put up a strong fight on race day with the hope of climbing up the ranks.