Hamilton assesses new Ferrari race engineer after debut tensions

Lewis Hamilton had defended his Ferrari race engineer, Riccardo Adami, after a difficult debut with the Italian team at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Throughout the race in Melbourne, the 40-year-old sounded frustrated with the communication from Adami over team radio.

The pair appeared to misunderstand each other at points and on numerous occasions the seven-time F1 drivers' champion asked for less communication or to be left alone.

The extent of Hamilton's chagrin opened him up to criticism from the likes of Martin Brundle and Karun Chandhok. The former questioned why he was so "angsty" with Adami, whilst the latter suggested a conversation was needed to further build understanding.

However, when asked about it post-race, Hamilton threw his support behind Adami, saying the 51-year-old "did his best", although he did concede there was still things to learn.

"I think Riccardo did a really good job," he told media including RacingNews365. "We're learning about each other bit by bit.

"We just need to... after this we'll download, we'll go through all the comments. Things I said, and vice versa.

"Generally, I'm not one that likes a lot of information in the race, unless I need it - I'll ask for it. But he did his best today and we'll move forwards."

Hamilton: 'There is a lot more performance' to unlock

In the midst of the late-race wet weather chaos, Hamilton briefly led at Albert Park when the leaders pitted for intermediate tyres.

Ferrari kept both the British driver and team-mate Charles Leclerc out on dry tyres too long, meaning they tumbled down the order when they did eventually stop.

Reflecting on the short-lived moment of promise in an otherwise disappointing weekend, which yielded just eighth on the grid and a solitary point for tenth in the grand prix, Hamilton chose to remain glass half full, highlighting his belief that there is more performance in the SF-25 to be found.

"In that moment, I don't know," he said when asked if he felt a podium could have been on the cards. "I was like: 'oh my God, I'm third'... I was leading for a second.

"I don't know if we had anywhere near the pace of the McLarens today, but I do think in the actual car there is a lot more performance. We just think we didn't unlock it this weekend."