Lewis Hamilton said Sunday he found his new Ferrari "really, really hard to drive" in the wet as the seven-time world champion endured a difficult start to his career at the Scuderia.<o:p></o:p>
The 40-year-old is hoping for a new lease of life after his bombshell switch from Mercedes, but it has been a steep learning curve since he joined the Italian team in January.<o:p></o:p>
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/formula-1/formula-1-lando-norris-holds-off-max-verstappen-to-win-rain-hit-australian-grand-prix-8857995" rel="dofollow">Formula 1: Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen to win rain-hit Australian Grand Prix</a>
It culminated in a disappointing 10th in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where he was well off the pace of McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes and behind teammate Charles Leclerc in a rain-hit race, punctuated by safety cars.<o:p></o:p>
"It was very tricky and went a lot worse than I thought it would go. The car was really, really hard to drive today," he said after a race that was marred by a series of crashes in the treacherous conditions.<o:p></o:p>
"For me, I'm just grateful I kept it out of the wall because that's where it wanted to go most of the time."<o:p></o:p>
Hamilton was in the Ferrari not only for his first Grand Prix, but also for the first time in wet conditions.<o:p></o:p>
Clearly still getting used to how his new team works, he was heard on the radio at one time telling his race engineer they had "missed a big opportunity" to capitalise strategically after he led briefly during a series of pit stops under the safety car.<o:p></o:p>
A delayed switch back to intermediate rain tyres dropped him back down the field, but the Briton said afterwards there had been "a lot" to take from his debut.<o:p></o:p>
"Just getting acclimatised with the new power unit in the wet conditions," he said. "The settings it requires are different, and a different way of driving and a different set-up on the steering wheel.<o:p></o:p>
"I hung out as long as I could, got in the lead at one point. Just the guidance with how much more rain was coming, was missing there, so I think we missed out."<o:p></o:p>
Disclaimer:&nbsp;This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports, Formula 1: Hamilton is hoping for a new lease of life after his bombshell switch from Mercedes, but it has been a steep learning curve since he joined the Italian team.

Lewis Hamilton said Sunday he found his new Ferrari "really, really hard to drive" in the wet as the seven-time world champion endured a difficult start to his career at the Scuderia. The 40-year-old is hoping for a new lease of life after his bombshell switch from Mercedes, but it has been a steep learning curve since he joined the Italian team in January. Also read | Formula 1: Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen to win rain-hit Australian Grand Prix It culminated in a disappointing 10th in the season-opening Australian Grand Prix, where he was well off the pace of McLaren, Red Bull and Mercedes and behind teammate Charles Leclerc in a rain-hit race, punctuated by safety cars. "It was very tricky and went a lot worse than I thought it would go. The car was really, really hard to drive today," he said after a race that was marred by a series of crashes in the treacherous conditions. "For me, I'm just grateful I kept it out of the wall because that's where it wanted to go most of the time." Hamilton was in the Ferrari not only for his first Grand Prix, but also for the first time in wet conditions. Clearly still getting used to how his new team works, he was heard on the radio at one time telling his race engineer they had "missed a big opportunity" to capitalise strategically after he led briefly during a series of pit stops under the safety car. A delayed switch back to intermediate rain tyres dropped him back down the field, but the Briton said afterwards there had been "a lot" to take from his debut. "Just getting acclimatised with the new power unit in the wet conditions," he said. "The settings it requires are different, and a different way of driving and a different set-up on the steering wheel. "I hung out as long as I could, got in the lead at one point. Just the guidance with how much more rain was coming, was missing there, so I think we missed out." Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Formula 1: Lewis Hamilton on difficult Ferrari debut - 'Worse than I thought'

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lando-norris">Lando Norris</a> kept his cool in a rain-hit and incident-packed season-opening Australian Grand Prix Sunday to edge world champion <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/max-verstappen">Max Verstappen</a> with Lewis Hamilton 10th on his Ferrari debut.
The pole-sitting Briton took the chequered flag by less than a second from the Dutchman, with Mercedes' George Russell third after a chaotic race in Melbourne that saw three drivers crash before the end of the first lap.
With the safety car repeatedly forced into action after a slew of accidents on the wet Albert Park circuit, Norris held on to clock a fifth grand prix win and second in a row after topping the podium at the final race of 2024 in Abu Dhabi.
RB rookie Isack Hadjar, Alpine's Jack Doohan and Williams' Carlos Sainz -- last year's winner -- all failed to finish the first lap on a track made treacherous by earlier torrential rain.
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Norris came into the season as favourite for the 2025 drivers' title and cemented his status as the man to beat.&nbsp;"It was amazing, a top race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing, especially the last two laps -- it was a little bit stressful, not going to lie," said Norris.
"Tricky conditions, but there are the ones that are enjoyable and we ended up on top so I'm happy."
Verstappen, who is aiming to become only the second driver to win five straight world titles after Michael Schumacher, was in the hunt early but an uncharacteristic error on lap 18 dented his chances until another safety car put him back in the frame.
"It was a difficult race, but at the end it was fun," said the Dutch star.&nbsp;"It was pushing, fighting for the win but I'm just happy to bring it home, score good points and this is a good start for us."
In the unpredictable conditions, with rain on-and-off, Williams' Alex Albon was an encouraging fourth ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli on his debut.
Aston Martin's <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/lance-stroll">Lance Stroll</a> was sixth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg in a Sauber.&nbsp;Ferrari's Charles Leclerc came eighth, with Norris' teammate <a href="https://www.wionews.com/tags/oscar-piastri">Oscar Piastri</a> and Hamilton rounding out the top 10.
While torrential rain eased for the main event, the tricky conditions were rammed home when Hadjar skidded and hit the wall on the formation lap and was out before the race even started.
The Frenchman, on his debut, left the track clearly distraught.&nbsp;The start was aborted and when the green lights finally came on, Norris, on intermediate tyres, made a clean jump and kept his position at the first corner.
<h2>Max pressure</h2>
Verstappen also had a flying start and passed Piastri to go second while Leclerc moved up two places to fifth.&nbsp;But the race was interrupted minutes later when Doohan ploughed into the wall, then the experienced Sainz did the same on his Williams debut.
They restarted after a safety car with Norris holding his spot ahead of Verstappen and with Piastri they began pulling clear of fourth-placed Russell.
With the track drying, the gap to Russell was eight seconds by lap 13.&nbsp;But with his tyres starting to wear, Verstappen brushed the gravel on lap 18 and Piastri flashed past back into second.
Norris and Piastri powered 18 seconds ahead of the Dutchman before Fernando Alonso put his Aston Martin into the wall on lap 34 and the safety car came out again.
All teams used the opportunity to make their pit stops with Norris and Piastri emerging on hards and Verstappen on mediums.&nbsp;After the safety car peeled off, Norris flew into a two-second lead before Piastri, pushing hard, skidded onto the grass to drop down the field as Verstappen powered past.
But again a safety car was required when Red Bull's Liam Lawson spun, with Norris, Verstappen and Russell the top three at the restart with seven laps left.
Verstappen pressed Norris hard for the win when they got going again, but the Briton was able to hold on.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Sports, Formula 1: The pole-sitting Briton took the chequered flag by less than a second from the Dutchman, with Mercedes' George Russell third after a chaotic race in Melbourne

Lando Norris kept his cool in a rain-hit and incident-packed season-opening Australian Grand Prix Sunday to edge world champion Max Verstappen with Lewis Hamilton 10th on his Ferrari debut. The pole-sitting Briton took the chequered flag by less than a second from the Dutchman, with Mercedes' George Russell third after a chaotic race in Melbourne that saw three drivers crash before the end of the first lap. With the safety car repeatedly forced into action after a slew of accidents on the wet Albert Park circuit, Norris held on to clock a fifth grand prix win and second in a row after topping the podium at the final race of 2024 in Abu Dhabi. RB rookie Isack Hadjar, Alpine's Jack Doohan and Williams' Carlos Sainz -- last year's winner -- all failed to finish the first lap on a track made treacherous by earlier torrential rain. Also Read: 'Don't want to sit alone and sulk': Disappointed Virat Kohli slams BCCI's 'family diktat' Norris came into the season as favourite for the 2025 drivers' title and cemented his status as the man to beat. "It was amazing, a top race, especially with Max behind me. I was pushing, especially the last two laps -- it was a little bit stressful, not going to lie," said Norris. "Tricky conditions, but there are the ones that are enjoyable and we ended up on top so I'm happy." Verstappen, who is aiming to become only the second driver to win five straight world titles after Michael Schumacher, was in the hunt early but an uncharacteristic error on lap 18 dented his chances until another safety car put him back in the frame. "It was a difficult race, but at the end it was fun," said the Dutch star. "It was pushing, fighting for the win but I'm just happy to bring it home, score good points and this is a good start for us." In the unpredictable conditions, with rain on-and-off, Williams' Alex Albon was an encouraging fourth ahead of Mercedes' Kimi Antonelli on his debut. Aston Martin's Lance Stroll was sixth ahead of Nico Hulkenberg in a Sauber. Ferrari's Charles Leclerc came eighth, with Norris' teammate Oscar Piastri and Hamilton rounding out the top 10. While torrential rain eased for the main event, the tricky conditions were rammed home when Hadjar skidded and hit the wall on the formation lap and was out before the race even started. The Frenchman, on his debut, left the track clearly distraught. The start was aborted and when the green lights finally came on, Norris, on intermediate tyres, made a clean jump and kept his position at the first corner. Max pressure Verstappen also had a flying start and passed Piastri to go second while Leclerc moved up two places to fifth. But the race was interrupted minutes later when Doohan ploughed into the wall, then the experienced Sainz did the same on his Williams debut. They restarted after a safety car with Norris holding his spot ahead of Verstappen and with Piastri they began pulling clear of fourth-placed Russell. With the track drying, the gap to Russell was eight seconds by lap 13. But with his tyres starting to wear, Verstappen brushed the gravel on lap 18 and Piastri flashed past back into second. Norris and Piastri powered 18 seconds ahead of the Dutchman before Fernando Alonso put his Aston Martin into the wall on lap 34 and the safety car came out again. All teams used the opportunity to make their pit stops with Norris and Piastri emerging on hards and Verstappen on mediums. After the safety car peeled off, Norris flew into a two-second lead before Piastri, pushing hard, skidded onto the grass to drop down the field as Verstappen powered past. But again a safety car was required when Red Bull's Liam Lawson spun, with Norris, Verstappen and Russell the top three at the restart with seven laps left. Verstappen pressed Norris hard for the win when they got going again, but the Briton was able to hold on. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Formula 1: Lando Norris holds off Max Verstappen to win rain-hit Australian Grand Prix

2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix, Live Streaming, Date-Time, Venue:&nbsp;The 2025 Australian Grand Prix promises to deliver an electrifying start to the Formula 1 season as the world&rsquo;s best drivers take on the iconic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. With a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, the track is set to challenge both seasoned champions and rising stars.
This year, new regulations, team rivalries, and fresh talent add extra intrigue to the race. Fans can expect thrilling battles, strategic gambles, and the roar of cutting-edge hybrid engines. As the lights go out, the fight for supremacy begins&mdash;who will conquer Melbourne and make an early championship statement?
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Where to watch the 2025&nbsp;F1 Australian Grand Prix start&nbsp;on TV?</h2>
The F1 Australian Grand Prix start will not be telecast on TV while streaming is available on the Formula One app.
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Where to watch the F1 Australian Grand Prix&nbsp; Live Streaming online on OTT?</h2>
The F1 Australian Grand Prix start will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website in India.
<h2 style="text-align: justify;">Which track will host the F1 Australian Grand Prix start?</h2>
The 2025&nbsp;F1 Australian Grand Prix will take place at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne.
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">What time will the F1 Australian Grand Prix start?</h2>
The 2025&nbsp;F1 Australian Grand Prix start will start at 3:00 PM local time (9:30 AM IST)
ALSO READ | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/cricket/all-50-pakistan-cricketers-overlooked-in-the-hundred-draft-heres-why-8854794" rel="dofollow noopener" target="_blank">All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft &ndash; Here's why</a> 
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Who have won last 5 Australian GPs?</h2>
2024 &ndash; Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 2023 &ndash; Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2022 &ndash; Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 2019 &ndash; Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 2018 &ndash; Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari)
<h2 class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;">Who have taken pole position in last 5 Australian GPs?</h2>
2024 &ndash; Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2023 &ndash; Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2022 &ndash; Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 2019 &ndash; Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2018 &ndash; Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

Sports, Formula 1: The Australian GP promises to deliver an electrifying start to the F 1 season as the world’s best drivers take on the iconic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne.

2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix, Live Streaming, Date-Time, Venue: The 2025 Australian Grand Prix promises to deliver an electrifying start to the Formula 1 season as the world’s best drivers take on the iconic Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne. With a mix of high-speed straights and technical corners, the track is set to challenge both seasoned champions and rising stars. This year, new regulations, team rivalries, and fresh talent add extra intrigue to the race. Fans can expect thrilling battles, strategic gambles, and the roar of cutting-edge hybrid engines. As the lights go out, the fight for supremacy begins—who will conquer Melbourne and make an early championship statement? Where to watch the 2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix start on TV? The F1 Australian Grand Prix start will not be telecast on TV while streaming is available on the Formula One app. Where to watch the F1 Australian Grand Prix Live Streaming online on OTT? The F1 Australian Grand Prix start will be live-streamed on the FanCode app and website in India. Which track will host the F1 Australian Grand Prix start? The 2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix will take place at the Melbourne Grand Prix Circuit in Melbourne. What time will the F1 Australian Grand Prix start? The 2025 F1 Australian Grand Prix start will start at 3:00 PM local time (9:30 AM IST) ALSO READ | All 50 Pakistan cricketers overlooked in The Hundred Draft – Here's why Who have won last 5 Australian GPs? 2024 – Carlos Sainz (Ferrari) 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 2019 – Valtteri Bottas (Mercedes) 2018 – Sebastian Vettel (Ferrari) Who have taken pole position in last 5 Australian GPs? 2024 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2023 – Max Verstappen (Red Bull) 2022 – Charles Leclerc (Ferrari) 2019 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes) 2018 – Lewis Hamilton (Mercedes)

F1 Australian Grand Prix 2025: All you need to know about Formula One season opener - date, time, live streaming

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix will be the Formula One season-opener for the first time in six years instead of Bahrain after the sport's governing body (FIA) released next year's calendar on Friday.

The 24-race season will commence on March 16 in Melbourne and end on Dec. 7 in Abu Dhabi as Formula One celebrates the 75th anniversary of its world championship.

The Bahrain Grand Prix has been the opening race of the season since 2021 while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been the second race on the calendar since 2022.

Formula One did not race at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will now host the opening race instead of the Middle Eastern kingdom due to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan falling in March next year.

The first European race will take place in Imola in May as part of a triple header which also includes Monaco and Spain in back-to-back weekends.

"We're grateful to the FIA, our promoters, host city partners, and all the related ASNs for their commitment and support in delivering this schedule and securing what promises to be another fantastic year for Formula 1," Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said in a statement.

"I would also like to pay tribute to our F1 teams and drivers, the heroes of our sport, and our fans around the world for continuing to follow Formula 1 with such incredible enthusiasm."

The testing schedule and the sprint calendar are set to be announced at a later date.

The current season has sprints at six Grands Prix -- China, Miami, Austria, United States (Austin), Brazil and Qatar.

<h2>FORMULA ONE 2025 CALENDAR -</h2>

<ul>
	<li>March 14-16: Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne</li>
	<li>March 21-23: Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai</li>
	<li>April 4-6: Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka</li>
	<li>April 11-13: Bahrain Grand Prix - Sakhir</li>
	<li>April 18-20: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah</li>
	<li>May 2-4: Miami Grand Prix - Florida</li>
	<li>May 16-18: Emilia Romagna - Imola</li>
	<li>May 23-25: Monaco Grand Prix - Monaco</li>
	<li>May 30–June 1: Spanish Grand Prix - Barcelona</li>
	<li>June 13-15: Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal</li>
	<li>June 27-29: Austrian Grand Prix - Spielberg</li>
	<li>July 4-6: Britigh Grand Prix - Silverstone</li>
	<li>July 25-27: Belgian Grand Prix - Spa</li>
	<li>Aug. 1-3: Hungarian Grand Prix - Budapest</li>
	<li>Aug. 29-31: Dutch Grand Prix - Zandvoort</li>
	<li>Sept. 5-7: Italian Grand Prix - Monza</li>
	<li>Sept. 19-21: Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku</li>
	<li>Oct. 3-5: Singapore Grand Prix - Singapore</li>
	<li>Oct. 17-19: United States Grand Prix - Austin</li>
	<li>Oct. 24-26: Mexican Grand Prix - Mexico City</li>
	<li>Nov. 7-9: Brazil Grand Prix - Sao Paulo</li>
	<li>Nov. 20-22: Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas</li>
	<li>Nov. 28-30: Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail</li>
	<li>Dec. 5-7: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina</li>
</ul>

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix will be the Formula One season-opener for the first time in six years instead of Bahrain after the sport's governing body (FIA) released next year's calendar on Friday.

The 2025 Australian Grand Prix will be the Formula One season-opener for the first time in six years instead of Bahrain after the sport's governing body (FIA) released next year's calendar on Friday. The 24-race season will commence on March 16 in Melbourne and end on Dec. 7 in Abu Dhabi as Formula One celebrates the 75th anniversary of its world championship. The Bahrain Grand Prix has been the opening race of the season since 2021 while the Saudi Arabian Grand Prix has been the second race on the calendar since 2022. Formula One did not race at Melbourne's Albert Park Circuit in 2020 and 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic but will now host the opening race instead of the Middle Eastern kingdom due to the Muslim holy month of Ramadan falling in March next year. The first European race will take place in Imola in May as part of a triple header which also includes Monaco and Spain in back-to-back weekends. "We're grateful to the FIA, our promoters, host city partners, and all the related ASNs for their commitment and support in delivering this schedule and securing what promises to be another fantastic year for Formula 1," Stefano Domenicali, President and CEO of Formula 1, said in a statement. "I would also like to pay tribute to our F1 teams and drivers, the heroes of our sport, and our fans around the world for continuing to follow Formula 1 with such incredible enthusiasm." The testing schedule and the sprint calendar are set to be announced at a later date. The current season has sprints at six Grands Prix -- China, Miami, Austria, United States (Austin), Brazil and Qatar. FORMULA ONE 2025 CALENDAR - March 14-16: Australian Grand Prix - Melbourne March 21-23: Chinese Grand Prix - Shanghai April 4-6: Japanese Grand Prix - Suzuka April 11-13: Bahrain Grand Prix - Sakhir April 18-20: Saudi Arabian Grand Prix - Jeddah May 2-4: Miami Grand Prix - Florida May 16-18: Emilia Romagna - Imola May 23-25: Monaco Grand Prix - Monaco May 30–June 1: Spanish Grand Prix - Barcelona June 13-15: Canadian Grand Prix - Montreal June 27-29: Austrian Grand Prix - Spielberg July 4-6: Britigh Grand Prix - Silverstone July 25-27: Belgian Grand Prix - Spa Aug. 1-3: Hungarian Grand Prix - Budapest Aug. 29-31: Dutch Grand Prix - Zandvoort Sept. 5-7: Italian Grand Prix - Monza Sept. 19-21: Azerbaijan Grand Prix - Baku Oct. 3-5: Singapore Grand Prix - Singapore Oct. 17-19: United States Grand Prix - Austin Oct. 24-26: Mexican Grand Prix - Mexico City Nov. 7-9: Brazil Grand Prix - Sao Paulo Nov. 20-22: Las Vegas Grand Prix - Las Vegas Nov. 28-30: Qatar Grand Prix - Lusail Dec. 5-7: Abu Dhabi Grand Prix - Yas Marina

Formula 1: Australia, not Bahrain, to hold 2025 season opener as FIA releases next year’s calendar