The last day of pre-season testing concluded at the Bahrain International Circuit as Lando Norris, Lewis Hamilton and Max Verstappen prepared for their final track time before the Australian Grand Prix. Hamilton’s official debut with Ferrari at the Formula 1 tests was discreet in terms of time, but the personal feelings of the seven-time world champion were very positive.
Lewis Hamilton says that in this first month with Ferrari nothing could have gone better and he is very happy with this start. “Normally, how you start is usually important and in this first month it couldn’t have gone better. Things have to happen and in Barcelona, they had to happen. Every day has been important to build the foundations. We have done a lot in a short time, but we have never been in a hurry. We have taken it easy, but working to the maximum every day, which have been long days. That’s what we’re here for,” said Hamilton.
Although Hamilton has other commitments and campaigns outside of Formula 1, there is nothing more special for him than racing. ”Right now, it’s my main focus. I have other things like Mission 44 and a team that works and knows what it’s doing. I have room in my life for these different things, but 99% or 98%, it’s about this. It’s what I love and I’ve grown up dreaming about things like this. I don’t know why I have the hunger I have, or the fight or the desire to keep doing what I do at this level. I’m very grateful to this sport, it has changed my life”.
The pre-season tests have gone well for Hamilton and Ferrari and they are looking forward to Australia. “I think it’s too early to talk, but I’m enjoying being in the car. We are growing little by little. These days it’s about pushing and looking for the limits, it’s about exploring. At the moment, there is more scope to explore more. All these settings are different, be it the brake pressure and many other things. They are very different to what I had in my previous team”.
Hamilton does not give up on Trump
Beyond the strictly sporting aspect, the British driver promised to ‘keep fighting’ while the administration of US President Donald Trump takes drastic measures against diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility programs.
“I’m not going to change what he does or what the government does,” Hamilton told TIME magazine. ‘All I can do is try to make sure that in my space, in my environment, I’m trying to elevate people.’ ”There will be forces along the way that don’t want it, for some reason I can’t understand. That doesn’t stop me. It’s a fight we’ll keep fighting.”
Hamilton also spoke about the fears of racism that have been experienced in Italian football in recent years. “I’m not going to lie, it definitely crossed my mind when I was thinking about my decision,” he said. “As with so many things, it is often a small group of people that sets the trend for many. I don’t think it’s going to be a problem.”