Lewis Hamilton says he does not feel any pressure to prove himself as he starts his Ferrari career at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time champion left Mercedes after 12 seasons in which they became the most successful team-driver combination in Formula 1 history.
The 40-year-old Briton won six of his drivers’ titles between 2014 and 2020 but has won only two races since the start of the 2022 season.
Hamilton said in Melbourne: “I am under no assumptions it will be easy. I don’t feel the pressure. The outside pressure is non-existent for me. The pressure is from within and what I want to achieve.
“I am not here to prove anything to anybody. I have done it time and time again. I know what it takes to do a good job and that’s what I want to deliver, for myself, and my family, for this team that I really believe deserve success.
“They are so driven and maybe they have not had as much success as they would like and deserve. Just want to work towards and contribute to doing it.”
“I am still learning this new car, which is quite a lot different to what I have driven all through my career,” Hamilton said.
“Ferrari power, after all my career with Mercedes, is a different feel, different vibration.
“The sooner you can perform to a higher level, the better, but inevitably there is a transition period and a foundation that needs to be built. Relationships, trust with everyone. Respect is given but trust is something built over time.
“I have had some not-so-spectacular years and I am trying to make sure I have a better one, but there will be lots of factors go into that.”
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne Dates: 14 March-16 March Race start: 04:00 GMT on Sunday, 16 March with first practice at 01:30 on Friday
