Lewis Hamilton voices shock over massive Ferrari gap

Lewis Hamilton has admitted surprise over Ferrari's lack of pace during qualifying for the Australian Grand Prix.

Hamilton made his qualifying debut for the Italian squad on Saturday as he kicked off a new career chapter following his exit from Mercedes.

Ferrari was tipped to be a major contender in the championship this year after it narrowly missed out on a constructors' title in 2024.

However, the SF-25 lacked speed over one lap in Melbourne with Charles Leclerc and Hamilton ending the session in seventh and eighth respectively.

Rivals McLaren locked out the front row, with Lando Norris securing pole position with an effort that was almost nine-tenths faster than Hamilton.

While Hamilton enjoyed his maiden competitive day at Ferrari, the seven-time champion admitted surprise over the gap to the front of the field.

“I generally feel good. I had a really good time out there,” Hamilton told Sky F1.

“Everything has been my 'first' this weekend, the first FP1 with Ferrari, the first practice sessions, the first qualifying.

“It’s been a lot of work to really adapt to this car, it’s just so much different to what I've experienced in the past.

“It's been interesting. I definitely didn't expect us to be eight or nine-tenths off today.”

Hamilton pleased with gap to Leclerc

While Hamilton boasts more experience than most other drivers on the grid, the 40-year-old is dwarfed by team-mate Charles Leclerc when it comes to understanding Ferrari's systems.

Leclerc's advantage over Hamilton in qualifying around Melbourne was two-tenths of a second -  a margin Hamilton is content with.

“Charles has been in this team for seven years,” he said. “He knows his car in and out. 

“Not necessarily the new one, but in terms of the general characteristics of our cars and all the tools and everything.

“To be that close in my first qualifying session, I’ll definitely take it.”

Another obstacle that could befall Hamilton is wet weather as rain is predicted to hit the circuit on Sunday.

“We'll just get our heads down and start working, trying to find out why we're not on pace with the front runners,” Hamilton added, previewing the race.

“Tomorrow is going to be a challenge. I've never driven in this car or the rain - I don't even know if the rain is going to hit, so I'm going to study that tonight.”