Hamilton discussed the hurdles he faced as he adjusted to a new team, particularly when it came to mastering the technical nuances of a different car. Reflecting on his progress, he expressed, “Looking back, I’m actually pretty pleased with how I’ve managed to adapt in just those two races.”
He acknowledged that there’s still significant work ahead to improve moving forward. “It’s about understanding the technical side of things and learning to utilize all the tools available. This car demands a different driving style,” he explained.
After reviewing the past couple of races, he shared insights on his experience in Australia, saying, “Initially, I didn’t feel quite comfortable in the car, but my pace wasn’t too bad over the first two days. Sunday marked my first time handling the car in wet conditions, and I learned a great deal as the race unfolded.”
Hamilton noted how missing valuable pre-season testing time in Bahrain and skipping a test in Abu Dhabi last year, where others sampled the new 2025 tire designs, put him at a disadvantage. As a result, he mentioned that China was actually his first chance to complete a long run in dry conditions.
He added, “All the other drivers participated in the Abu Dhabi tests and experimented with the 2025 tires, but I didn’t get that opportunity. In Bahrain, mechanical issues cut our race runs short, so I couldn’t manage a long stint on any tires.”
“The sprint race ended up being my initial 20-lap session on these tires,” he continued. “And during the main race, I tested the C2 compound for the first time, learning about it on the fly.”
Hamilton emphasized that understanding tire behavior requires experience; “You can’t just slap on a tire and instantly know how it will perform. I definitely felt the impact of missing out on the year-end tests,” he admitted, acknowledging the challenges of adapting to new circumstances.
