Lewis Hamilton endured a dramatic and irritating debut for Ferrari on the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, as a late rain bathe and a strategic miscalculation price him a possible shock victory. The seven-time world champion was left seething after the group selected to maintain him out on slick tyres whereas a lot of the frontrunners pitted for intermediates, a call that in the end noticed him tumble down the order.
Ferrari’s British driver Lewis Hamilton leaves the pits throughout the Formulation One Australian Grand Prix (AFP)
With rain taking part in havoc within the closing laps, Ferrari’s gamble to go away Hamilton out backfired when a subsequent security automotive left him stranded in slow-moving site visitors.
When he lastly made his manner into the pits for moist tyres, the Briton rejoined in ninth place, visibly pissed off. He swore on the group radio and angrily mentioned, “We missed a big opportunity,” moments after studying of his new place.
Lando Norris capitalised on the chaotic circumstances to say an excellent victory, having began on pole, whereas reigning world champion Max Verstappen secured second place. Mercedes’ George Russell accomplished the rostrum, whereas Hamilton’s Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc managed eighth after a close to collision with the Briton within the closing levels.
The race, crammed with surprising twists and relentless drama, noticed Hamilton’s fortunes decline additional when McLaren’s Oscar Piastri overtook him on the ultimate lap, leaving him to accept a disappointing tenth place. Having began eighth, the 39-year-old had hoped for a robust displaying in his first aggressive outing with the Scuderia, however the closing laps proved to be a nightmare.
Hamilton on the race
Reflecting on his turbulent race, Hamilton admitted the automotive was troublesome to manage within the difficult circumstances. “It was very tricky,” he mentioned. “It went a lot worse than I thought it would go, the car was really hard to drive today. I’m grateful I kept it out of the wall, that’s where it wanted to go most of the time.”
He additionally expressed frustration over the group’s climate evaluation, which contributed to the pricey technique name. “The information I got was that it was a short shower, and real quick, and it was just the last corner. But then more came.”