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AAP
AAP
Oliver Caffrey

Hamilton ready for last Aussie GP before Ferrari move

When Lewis Hamilton returns to Melbourne in 2025, the Formula One legend will be donning the famous bright red race suit of Ferrari.

The seven-time world champion's bombshell move to the storied Italian team is going to take some getting used to.

Hamilton and Mercedes have had as stable a partnership as any driver and team in motorsport.

Even F1 legends such as Michael Schumacher and Ayrton Senna raced for four teams each during their glittering careers.

On Sunday, Hamilton will lap Albert Park for the final time as a Mercedes driver.

Lewis Hamilton drives his Mercedes at Albert Park.
Lewis Hamilton on his way to finishing second at 2023's Australian Grand Prix. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

The 39-year-old's relationship with the German marque extends all the way back to his debut season with McLaren in 2007.

When Hamilton saluted for his first championship in 2008, his McLaren was powered by a Mercedes engine.

Upon officially joining Mercedes in 2013, the Englishman's shift was considered something of a gamble after Schumacher had failed to make a success of his comeback to F1.

But Hamilton and Mercedes proved a match made in heaven, winning six drivers' titles between 2014 and 2020.

Red Bull star Max Verstappen has completely dominated the last three seasons, and is a red-hot favourite this year to match Hamilton's four-straight championships of 2017-2020.

Hamilton has endured a tough start to his Mercedes farewell tour, finishing seventh and ninth in the season's opening two races.

He called for "big changes" after watching Red Bull secure another one-two in Saudi Arabia two weeks ago.

Lewis Hamilton on the podium at Albert Park in 2023.
Hamilton (left) was second at Albert Park last year behind Max Verstappen (second left). (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)

"In the high-speed we are miles off," Hamilton said.

"It was like I was in a different category when I was going through the high-speed compared to the other guys around me.

"It's frustrating for sure, for three years in a row, to almost be in the same position."

Hamilton was second at Albert Park last year behind Verstappen, his 10th podium finish in 15 visits to Victoria.

His only wins in Melbourne came in 2008 and 2015.

Practice will get underway at Albert Park on Friday, with qualifying on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's race.

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