The Formula 1 world is abuzz as the season-opening Australian Grand Prix approaches, set to take place at Albert Park in Melbourne from March 14th to 16th. All eyes are on Lewis Hamilton, the seven-time world champion, as he embarks on a new chapter in his illustrious career, joining the iconic Ferrari team. The race is scheduled to start at 04:00 GMT on Sunday, March 16th, with the first practice session kicking off at 01:30 GMT on Friday. Fans can follow the action live on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra for practice and qualifying, with the race broadcast live on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live text updates will also be available on the BBC Sport website and app.

Hamilton's move to Ferrari after 12 seasons with Mercedes marks a significant moment in F1 history. During his time with Mercedes, he achieved unprecedented success, securing six of his seven drivers' titles between 2014 and 2020. However, since the start of the 2022 season, victories have been less frequent, with only two races won. Now, at 40 years old, Hamilton is eager to contribute to Ferrari's success, a team he believes deserves more recognition.

"I am under no assumptions it will be easy. I don't feel the pressure," Hamilton stated in Melbourne. "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."

Hamilton anticipates a closely contested season, with Ferrari, McLaren, Red Bull, and Mercedes all appearing to be competitive. He acknowledges that he is still in the process of adapting to his new environment at Ferrari. "I am still learning this new car, which is quite a lot different to what I have driven all through my career," Hamilton explained. "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."

Teaming up with Charles Leclerc at Ferrari, Hamilton has been impressed by the 27-year-old's dedication. "It is not too dissimilar to mine," Hamilton noted. "Just getting on with it. He is very much Mr Ferrari and it has been really cool to work alongside him." Leclerc, who joined Ferrari in 2019, has consistently outperformed his teammates, including Sebastian Vettel and Carlos Sainz. However, Leclerc downplays the notion of being "Mr. Ferrari," emphasizing the team's collective identity. "There is no place for one particular driver in Ferrari," Leclerc asserted. "Ferrari is bigger than any drivers. And that has always been the case. That's what makes Ferrari so special. There is support of the team and not one specific driver. Lewis is coming as a legend of the sport so there is a lot more attention on him than me at the moment but I am completely fine with it. I completely understand that. It's normal it is that way. It is fine for me."

When asked if he had offered Hamilton any advice on integrating into Ferrari, Leclerc responded, "I really don't think Lewis needs any kind of advice from me. I know the environment more than him but he has introduced himself to the team perfectly and he already seems to be very much at ease. It is a long process, he will learn the car and team more. The advice I have given him so far is mostly about food. He knows if he needs anything I am here to answer his questions, no problems. But he needs less advice from me than I do from him."

While Hamilton aims to secure a record-breaking eighth world title with Ferrari, Leclerc remains equally determined to achieve his own championship dreams. "This is my one and only target and goal and dream that remains to be ticked," Leclerc stated. "I had quite a few dreams growing up. One was to be an F1 driver, and to be a Ferrari driver, and to win Monza and Monaco, which I did. And now it's only about being a world champion. That's my obsession."

Hamilton says he is itching to get going during the “most exciting period of my life” at Ferrari while cautioning about a transition period as he gets used to a new car. Hamilton, 40, said on Thursday it was hard to assess Ferrari’s place in the pecking order so early in the season. “Obviously three days in the car, difficult to know where we stand with everyone else. But we just try to keep our heads down and just focus on our job,” he said in Melbourne on Thursday. “But for me, I mean, I’m just itching to get going, I guess it’s been a long time coming.”

“I have an expectation for myself. I know what I can bring, I know I can deliver, I know what it’s going to take to do that, and it’s just getting your head down and working away,” he said. “So I come with a very open mind. It is about getting into the season, this is about getting into a good rhythm. I’m still learning this new car that’s quite a lot different to what I’ve driven for my previous career, in the sense of Mercedes power coming into Ferrari power,” he added. “It’s something quite new, different vibration, different feel, different way of working. The whole team works completely differently.” But he said the new challenge motivated him. “Definitely this is the most exciting period of my life, and so I’m really just enjoying it, and I’m so excited to get in the car tomorrow,” he said on Thursday. Asked what would be a good result in Melbourne, he replied: “I think I just ultimately want to come away knowing that I’ve given absolutely everything. That I’ve excelled in the way that I know I can, that I felt comfortable in the car and just one foot in front of the other.”