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Lewis Hamilton instantly beats teammate but warned he has three-race probation at Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton will only have three races to settle into his new car at Ferrari, according to Martin Brundle. The seven-time world champion will make his debut for his new team at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix next month. Hamilton has three races to settle in at Ferrari says BrundleGetty The presenter has urged fans to ‘never underestimate’ HamiltonGetty Hamilton has replaced Carlos Sainz alongside Charles Leclerc on the grid for Ferrari this year after leaving Mercedes. He arrives having won 105 races in his career, including at Silverstone and Spa in 2024. Both Hamilton and Leclerc are currently undergoing private testing for the new season. Ahead of the upcoming campaign, Brundle was asked if Hamilton has to be immediately on pace at Ferrari. The presenter told Sky Sports: “He’s got to do that. He’s got to use his experience. “There are no excuses at this level for anybody, even the rookies, but you might give the rookies half a season to get their act together – maximum. “[Ferrari] will expect somebody like Lewis to have aced the people around him and the car within two or three races, to be honest. “[You should] never underestimate Lewis Hamilton.” Hamilton’s three-race probation period would cover the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix in March as well as the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6. The 40-year-old would then be expected to be up to speed for the Bahrain Grand Prix a week later. Hamilton outpaced Leclerc in training on MondayGetty Brundle added: “There are some big challenges, his team-mate Charles Leclerc has been there seven years effectively and knows exactly where the buttons are, and who does what, and makes things happen. “Lewis will have to face that, and the fact Leclerc is incredibly fast. “But I have no doubt that if Ferrari have a race-winning car or a championship-winning car, then Lewis can win races and even the championship.” Hamilton and Leclerc were both behind the wheel on Monday as they took part in the first day of Pirelli tyre testing. Across 87 laps, Hamilton recorded a personal best of 1:15.93 in his Ferrari. Meanwhile, Leclerc completed a total of 86 laps, with his best time being 1:16.06. Pre-season testing is scheduled for Bahrain from February 26 to 28 ahead of the opening race weekend two weeks later.
Lewis Hamilton will only have three races to settle into his new car at Ferrari, according to Martin Brundle.
The seven-time world champion will make his debut for his new team at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix next month.
Hamilton has replaced Carlos Sainz alongside Charles Leclerc on the grid for Ferrari this year after leaving Mercedes.
He arrives having won 105 races in his career, including at Silverstone and Spa in 2024.
Both Hamilton and Leclerc are currently undergoing private testing for the new season.
Ahead of the upcoming campaign, Brundle was asked if Hamilton has to be immediately on pace at Ferrari.
The presenter told Sky Sports: “He’s got to do that. He’s got to use his experience.
“There are no excuses at this level for anybody, even the rookies, but you might give the rookies half a season to get their act together – maximum.
“[Ferrari] will expect somebody like Lewis to have aced the people around him and the car within two or three races, to be honest.
“[You should] never underestimate Lewis Hamilton.”
Hamilton’s three-race probation period would cover the Australian and Chinese Grand Prix in March as well as the Japanese Grand Prix on April 6.
The 40-year-old would then be expected to be up to speed for the Bahrain Grand Prix a week later.
Brundle added: “There are some big challenges, his team-mate Charles Leclerc has been there seven years effectively and knows exactly where the buttons are, and who does what, and makes things happen.
“Lewis will have to face that, and the fact Leclerc is incredibly fast.
“But I have no doubt that if Ferrari have a race-winning car or a championship-winning car, then Lewis can win races and even the championship.”
Hamilton and Leclerc were both behind the wheel on Monday as they took part in the first day of Pirelli tyre testing.
Across 87 laps, Hamilton recorded a personal best of 1:15.93 in his Ferrari.
Meanwhile, Leclerc completed a total of 86 laps, with his best time being 1:16.06.
Pre-season testing is scheduled for Bahrain from February 26 to 28 ahead of the opening race weekend two weeks later.
