Lewis Hamilton Cautious About Pole Position Chances at Australian GP
Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has downplayed his chances of securing pole position for Saturday’s qualifying session at the Australian Grand Prix. The 39-year-old, who is making his highly anticipated debut for Ferrari this season, admitted that it might be “a little bit early” for him to challenge at the front.
- Hamilton finished Friday’s practice sessions in fifth place, trailing his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc by 0.42 seconds. Leclerc topped the timesheets at the end of the second practice session, ahead of the McLaren duo of Oscar Piastri and Lando, Norris. Red Bull’s Max Verstappen, the reigning world champion, was fourth, just ahead of Hamilton.
Despite a strong showing in practice, Hamilton believes he still needs more time to fully adapt to his new car and maximize its potential. “It’s been a good day overall, but I think it’s still a little bit early for me to be fighting for pole,” Hamilton said. “We are making progress, and the car feels strong, but there are still things we need to fine-tune.”F
errari has shown promising pace in the opening rounds of the 2025 season, with both Leclerc Leclerc inand Hamilton emerging as key challengers to Red Bull’s dominance. Leclerc’s strong performance on Friday suggests Ferrari could be in contention for pole position and victory at Albert Park. However, McLaren’s impressive form, along with Red Bull’s ever-present threat, means the battle at the front remains tight.
Meanwhile, Red Bull’s Verstappen struggled with balance issues throughout the practice sessions, indicating that the defending champions might not have as smooth a weekend as expected. Mercedes, Hamilton’s former team, had a mixed day, with George Russell and Fernando Alonso finishing outside the top five.
Qualifying on Saturday is expected to be a highly competitive session, with Ferrari, McLaren, and Red Bull all vying for the top grid positions. While Hamilton remains cautious about his chances, his experience and racecraft could still see him challenge for a strong starting position.
The Australian Grand Prix is set to be a thrilling battle, with multiple teams in contention for victory. Fans will be eagerly watching to see if Hamilton can deliver a standout performance in his first race weekend
with Ferrari.
