Lewis Hamilton compares Ferrari debut to 'epic' first experience

Lewis Hamilton says the run up to his first grand prix with Ferrari is "reminiscent" of his F1 debut with McLaren in 2007.

The seven-time drivers' champion switched Mercedes for the Scuderia over the winter, a move he did not feel would come to fruition for him, especially at this current late stage of his career.

It is an ambition the 40-year-old has been harbouring since starting out in F1 18 years ago, when he put the entire paddock on notice just metres into his first grand prix.

Also held at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne, the British driver immediately took the F1 world by storm by pulling off an impressive overtaking move around the outside of team-mate and two-time reigning drivers' champion Fernando Alonso heading into the first corner.

Nearly two decades on from that career-opening Australian Grand Prix, Hamilton was given the opportunity to reflect on the parallels between his F1 debut and his first races for Mercedes and now Ferrari, respectively.

"Naturally, I'm very, very fortunate," Hamilton told media including RacingNews365. "I've had this amazing career here in Formula 1.

"Starting with McLaren here in 2007 was an epic feeling. And then starting with a new team again with Mercedes was, again, incredible.

"I think this is very reminiscent of my first year. Over the years, I've gone up and down the paddock looking at the red garage, and now I'm actually in the red garage. So it's a really nice feeling."

Hamilton on Ferrari: 'I feel very honoured and very grateful...'

Perhaps the biggest talking point of Hamilton's move to the Maranello-based team is that is provides him a more realistic opportunity of attaining a record-breaking eighth F1 drivers' crown, which has thus far eluded him.

As such, all eyes were on how the 105-time grand prix winner fared in his new machinery during pre-season testing in Bahrain.

"Yeah, so far, I definitely feel so," Hamilton remarked when asked if the SF-25 inspires confidence in him. "We've only had three days in the car, but it's difficult to know where we stand with everyone else.

"We're just trying to keep our heads down and focus on our job. Carlos was incredibly quick. Kimi was really quick. It was difficult to know who's where, but it looks like it's going to be close.

"For me, I’m itching to get going. It's been a long time coming, and to think that this is going to be my first grand prix -one of those other firsts with the team - as I experience that all through the year, it's pretty special. I feel very honoured and very grateful to have the opportunity."