Lewis Hamilton has described the SF-25 as ‘so much different’ to his previous experiences driving around the Albert Park Circuit. The veteran Brit explained that he needs time to adapt his driving style after a challenging opening day at the Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton was 12th fastest in FP1 with a quickest lap time six-tenths behind Ferrari colleague Charles Leclerc.

The gap reduced to four-tenths in FP2 as Hamilton improved to finish fifth in the running order, albeit with his team-mate at the top of the timing screens. The 40-year-old even caused concern for some fans when he reported to new race engineer Riccardo Adami that he was “struggling to turn the car”. However, these comments are a natural part of practice sessions, particularly when a driver is adapting to new machinery.

Speaking to the media after his first two practice sessions in red, Hamilton explained: “Firstly, it has been a super exciting build-up to this week, and it felt amazing to get out there and be in a Ferrari here.

“Honestly, the car felt so much different to anything I’ve ever experienced coming to this track, so it took a little bit of bedding in through P1. P2 was definitely a little better, just building, but yeah, we’re slowly building and a little bit getting faster, bit by bit.”

Asked if his “different” comments were positive or negative, Hamilton continued: “Just different. Just a lot different. But the car doesn’t feel bad or anything, it just requires a different way of driving. So [I am] adjusting my driving style bit by bit, but enjoying driving.”

Team principal Fred Vasseur has no concerns about his marquee signing’s start to life with Ferrari. “It’s not to be at the limit on one session,” he said. “It’s not a matter of speed. The target is for him to know everybody in the team, to discover the software, the process, the system.

“I think that we have something very similar to Mercedes, but at the end of the day, perhaps not with the same name or the same way to use them and be just a learning process. But we did one or two test day with the TPC one month or two months ago. It was a good way to approach it, but nothing compared to a race weekend.

“He’s on this process. You can’t draw a conclusion of the first session. I have absolutely no doubt that he will be able to perform and to perform soon. And last year, I think that Carlos was P8 or P9 in practice, and he won the race.”