Lewis Hamilton has tough start with Ferrari, qualifying eighth in F1 Australian GP
MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari odyssey got off to a tough start on Saturday after the British driver qualified in eighth for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.
The seven-time F1 world champion was refreshingly honest after qualifying, saying he’s still not dialled into the Scuderia’s team plans just yet — even if rain forecasted for Sunday's race could bring him back into contention.
“Charles (Leclerc) has more experience of course, but I’m building confidence with the car and learning how to unlock its potential,” Hamilton said.
“Now we will get our heads down and try to find out how we can close the gap. Tomorrow is going to be a challenge, especially as I’ve not driven this car in the wet, but we will be giving it all we can to have a positive first race and be up there.”
Melbourne is expecting contrasting weather conditions on Sunday, with an overcast warm morning giving way to a cool change in the late morning — and a very high chance of showers.
Lando Norris set a searing final qualifying lap to secure pole position for the race, his first at Melbourne’s Albert Park, and milestone 10th overall, in front of his teammate Oscar Piastri, and a record Saturday crowd of 136,347 at Albert Park.
___
AP Formula 1: https://apnews.com/hub/formula-one
Topics
-
McLaren dominates first F1 qualifying of the season at Australian GP as Lewis Hamilton finishes eighth in Ferrari debut
McLaren finished with an impressive one-two in the first Formula 1 qualifying event of the 2025 season at the Australian Grand Prix on Saturday.Yahoo Sports - 2d -
Frustrating start for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari at F1 Australian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with his new Ferrari team was pressure tested in Australia, where he finished a disappointing 10th on debut, and was frustrated by a bad strategy Sunday that cost him ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Lewis Hamilton ready to race for Ferrari for the first time in F1's season-opening Australian GP
Seven-time world champion Lewis Hamilton racing a Ferrari for the first timeABC News - 3d -
Frustrating start for Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari at F1 Australian Grand Prix
Lewis Hamilton’s relationship with his new Ferrari team was pressure tested in Australia, where he finished a disappointing 10th on debut, and was frustrated by a bad strategy that cost him a ...ABC News - 1d -
Formula 1 picks, odds, grid, start time: 2025 Australian Grand Prix predictions, F1 bets by proven model
SportsLine's model analyzes Max Verstappen, Lando Norris and the rest of the starting grid's chances at the F1 Australian GP 2025 as Lewis Hamilton makes his Ferrari debutCBS Sports - 1d -
Norris takes Melbourne pole with Hamilton eighth
Lando Norris secures pole position for the Australian Grand Prix, while Lewis Hamilton is eighth on his Ferrari debut.BBC News - 2d -
Lewis Hamilton swears over radio as Ferrari miss chance for F1 debut win in Australian GP
The seven-time F1 world champion failed to pit when needed amid carnage in the rain in Melbourne while Lando Norris kept his composure to win the first race of the seasonYahoo Sports - 1d -
Norris holds off Verstappen to win rain-hit Australian Grand Prix
Lando Norris kept his cool in a rain-hit and incident-packed season-opening Australian Grand Prix Sunday to edge world champion Max Verstappen with Lewis Hamilton 10th on his Ferrari debut.In the ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Lewis Hamilton reacts to poor first qualifying for Ferrari in Australia: ‘A lot to dissect’
Hamilton could only qualify eighth-fastest in his first outing in Ferrari red as Lando Norris claimed poleYahoo Sports - 2d
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins reportedly both agree to contract extensions with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached contract extensions with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to multiple reports.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Steelers agree to sign DL Daniel Ekuale
The Steelers are kicking off the week by making an addition to their defensive line.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Son of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will play international soccer. But not for England
The son of former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has been called up for international duty — by Malta. James Carragher, a defender for Wigan in English soccer’s third tier, ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Between the Columns for Monday, March 17
Today will mostly be NCAA Tournament thoughts since we finally know where the Tigers are headed. The Tigers are headed to Wichita for a matchup with the Drake Bulldogs on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. My ...Yahoo Sports - 23m -
Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva leading contenders if Tottenham sack Ange Postecoglou
Andoni Iraola and Marco Silva will be among the leading candidates to succeed Ange Postecoglou if Tottenham Hotspur feel forced into changing the club’s head coach.Yahoo Sports - 25m
More in Sports
-
WNBA trade grades: Did the defending champion Liberty get even better in trade for Cloud?
Natasha Cloud gives New York another skilled distributor and a stronger defense, while Connecticut gains two first-round picks to help its rebuild.ESPN - 18m -
Ja'Marr Chase, Tee Higgins reportedly both agree to contract extensions with Bengals
The Cincinnati Bengals have reached contract extensions with both Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins, according to multiple reports.Yahoo Sports - 20m -
Steelers agree to sign DL Daniel Ekuale
The Steelers are kicking off the week by making an addition to their defensive line.Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Son of former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher will play international soccer. But not for England
The son of former Liverpool and England defender Jamie Carragher has been called up for international duty — by Malta. James Carragher, a defender for Wigan in English soccer’s third tier, ...Yahoo Sports - 22m -
Between the Columns for Monday, March 17
Today will mostly be NCAA Tournament thoughts since we finally know where the Tigers are headed. The Tigers are headed to Wichita for a matchup with the Drake Bulldogs on Thursday at 6:35 p.m. My ...Yahoo Sports - 23m