Lewis Hamilton makes Ferrari admission as breakthrough nears

Lewis Hamilton has admitted there were "things you couldn't foresee" about his move to Ferrari, as he has made a breakthrough. 

Although Hamilton is yet to record a podium finish 16 races into his Ferrari career, the seven-time champion's underlying performances have been better in the Dutch and Italian Grands Prix, despite crashing out at Zandvoort.

Hamilton's changing of teams after 12 seasons with Mercedes has been met with technical challenges, such as getting used to Ferrari's Brembo brakes from Mercedes' Carbon Industries and the use of engine braking, something seldom used previously.

However, whilst he had a year to prepare for moving to Ferrari with the announcement coming in February 2024, Hamilton has admitted there has been a number of things in the background affecting his settling in at Maranello. 

"I don’t remember every single season, to be honest, so I don’t really want to compare it to others, but I'm sure there have been plenty of seasons that have felt difficult," Hamilton told media, including RacingNews365. 

"I remember 2009 was difficult. I remember 2010, 2011 wasn’t great, and 2012 was a pivotal moment for me, and obviously 2022 and 2023, so there’s been plenty of others that were just different. I was in a different place in my life. 

"This one, really living the dream, moving to race with Ferrari. Of course, I had the whole of last year to think about it and try to prepare, but there are still things you couldn’t foresee. 

"There’s been a lot of adjustment, both from my side and the team’s side. They’ve really moved heaven and earth to accommodate me. 

"Obviously, there are cultural differences. Fred made a comment that perhaps they underestimated me joining the team and the year we’ve been faced with in terms of the problems with the car, so it's a combination of all those things.

"But honestly, the harder it is, the better it can make you. This year has been tough for everyone in the team, but it has prepared us for better days.

"We’ll be stronger having gone through this tough first six months. I’m really excited and motivated for a positive uphill battle from here, and I feel like I’ve got the best people around me to do that."