Hamilton handed three-race Ferrari 'probation' prediction

Martin Brundle believes Lewis Hamilton's 'probationary' period at Ferrari will last just three races before pressure increases.

Hamilton is currently undergoing private Testing of Previous Cars (TPC) running with his new Ferrari team ahead of pre-season testing in Bahrain between February 26-28. 

Part of his orientation at the Scuderia is to get adjusted to Ferrari's systems and ditch the Mercedes muscle memory after 12 seasons with the team - having also never raced in F1 without a Mercedes engine, including during his time at McLaren.

Despite this, Brundle feels that Ferrari's big-money signing must immediately be on the pace of team-mate Charles Leclerc, who is regarded as the fastest driver in F1 over a single lap.

"He’s got to do that. He’s got to use his experience," Brundle told Sky Sports when asked if Hamilton immediately needed to be on the pace at the Scuderia.

"There are no excuses at this level for anybody, even the rookies, but you might give the rookies half a season to get their act together - maximum.

"[Ferrari] will expect somebody like Lewis to have aced the people around him and the car within two or three races, to be honest. 

"[You should] never underestimate Lewis Hamilton."

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Hamilton backed to succeed

Leclerc has been a fixture of Ferrari know-how his entire career having been a member of the driver academy before his F1 debut with the Ferrari-powered Sauber in 2018. 

This is something Brundle also highlighted.

"There are some big challenges, his team-mate Charles Leclerc has been there seven years effectively and knows exactly where the buttons are, and who does what, and makes things happen," he explained.

"Lewis will have to face that, and the fact Leclerc is incredibly fast. 

"But I have no doubt that if Ferrari have a race-winning car or a championship-winning car, then Lewis can win races and even the championship."