Lewis Hamilton Says New F1 Era 'Great' Despite Rivals Verstappen, Norris Frustration in Melbourne

Lewis Hamilton seemed to leave the Australian Grand Prix with a smile that caught many people in the paddock by surprise. While several drivers complained about Formula One's new generation of cars, the seven time world champion said he actually enjoyed the challenge.

Hamilton's upbeat mood came after finishing fourth at the Albert Park Circuit in Melbourne during his early races with Ferrari. The result placed him behind the leading Mercedes cars, yet the 41 year old British driver sounded far more optimistic than several of his rivals.

Max Verstappen and Lando Norris both raised concerns about the feel of the new machines during the opening race weekend. Hamilton took a different view. He said the new era felt exciting and even admitted he wished the race had lasted longer.

Hamilton Finds Joy in the Challenge

Hamilton's reaction stood out in Melbourne because much of the talk across the paddock centred on criticism of the new Formula One rules.

According to RacingNews365, Hamilton was among the few drivers who openly praised the direction the sport is taking. He described the new era as positive and said he enjoyed driving the latest generation of cars.

'I personally loved it,' Hamilton told the media. 'I thought the race was really fun to drive. I thought the car was really, really fun to drive.'

For a driver who has spent years at the top of the championship, the attitude suggested something deeper. Hamilton appeared to welcome the unpredictability of a new technical era rather than shy away from it.

His comments were not shared by many of his fellow drivers. Several of them, including George Russell and Carlos Sainz who serve as directors of the Grand Prix Drivers' Association, have raised safety concerns about the new regulations.

When asked again about the new era of Formula One, Hamilton repeated his enthusiasm.

'I thought it was awesome,' the 105-time grand prix victor said. 'I thought it was great.'

The Australian GP is Fun

Beyond his positive view of the sport's direction, Hamilton admitted the race itself had simply been fun and enjoyable. As reported by Formula 1, he said he 'really enjoyed' the Australian Grand Prix and even wished the race had continued for longer.

Those remarks captured the mood inside the Ferrari garage. Instead of frustration, the atmosphere carried a sense of discovery.

Hamilton also said there were 'lots of positives' to take from the race, while acknowledging that both he and Ferrari still have work to do to close the gap. He stressed that the team must focus on 'improving our power.'

The British driver also spoke about the races ahead. Next on the calendar is the Chinese Grand Prix in Shanghai, China, scheduled to take place in just one week.

Rivals Raise Concerns About the New Cars

Unfortunately, not everyone shared Hamilton's enthusiasm in Melbourne.

Some drivers struggled with how the new machines behaved around the Albert Park Circuit. Reports said Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing and Lando Norris of McLaren both voiced frustration about the way the cars handled during the weekend.

Verstappen described the race as 'chaos' and said he wants things to be 'better.' Norris offered an even sharper assessment. He said drivers were left waiting for 'something to go horribly wrong,' adding that it felt 'very artificial and a shame.'

The complaints added another layer to the debate surrounding Formula One's latest technical shift. Drivers often need time to adapt when the sport introduces major design changes.

Hamilton, however, seemed to see opportunity where others saw problems. His willingness to embrace the new era placed him apart from several leading names on the grid.

That contrast sparked conversation in the paddock. When a driver with Hamilton's experience speaks with optimism, people tend to listen.

Ferrari Confidence Grows Despite Mercedes Pace

Hamilton's fourth place finish also highlighted a clear reality. Mercedes looked strong in Melbourne.

The German manufacturer showed impressive pace throughout the weekend, according to ESPN. Even so, Hamilton remained confident Ferrari can challenge that advantage as the season unfolds.

He insisted the Ferrari car has the potential to fight near the front. As reported by Flashscore, Hamilton said the team's machine is capable of competing with Mercedes once the setup improves.

That belief carries real importance during the early stages of a Formula One season. Drivers often rely on trust in their car and their engineers when the first races reveal weaknesses.

Hamilton's body language in Melbourne suggested that trust is already beginning to form between him and Ferrari.

A Different Mindset for a New Chapter

The Melbourne race weekend offered a clear glimpse of Hamilton's mindset as he starts a new chapter of his career.

Rather than focusing on what the Ferrari still lacks, he spoke about how the car felt and how much he enjoyed being on track. Hamilton described the experience as genuinely fun.

That simple reaction stood out. Drivers rarely sound relaxed while adjusting to new machinery.

Hamilton's words hinted at something important. The veteran driver appears energised by the challenge instead of overwhelmed by it.

The 2026 F1 season is still in its early days. Mercedes may have set the first benchmark, but Hamilton's optimism suggests Ferrari believes its moment will come.

For now, the message from Melbourne is clear. While others question Formula One's new era, Lewis Hamilton seems ready to embrace it.