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[Reuters]
Australian Grand Prix
Venue: Albert Park, Melbourne Dates: 14 March-16 March Race start: 04:00 GMT on Sunday, 16 March
Coverage: Live radio commentary of practice and qualifying on BBC 5 Sports Extra, race live on BBC Radio 5 Live. Live text updates on BBC Sport website and app
Lewis Hamilton said he expected it to be "a little bit early" for him to be able to fight for pole position on Saturday at his first race for Ferrari.
Hamilton ended Friday practice at the Australian Grand Prix fifth fastest, 0.42 seconds slower than his team-mate Charles Leclerc, who set the pace ahead of the McLarens of Oscar Piastri and Lando Norris.
He said: "For me I think it's a little bit early (to go for pole) as I continue to learn the car, but never say never.
"I will give it everything and (I'm) just not putting too much pressure on. Try and enjoy it. I have some pace to find. I know where to find it. It's just about going out and doing it."
The 40-year-old said the build-up to his first appearance for his new team at a race weekend had been "super-exciting" and that it "felt amazing to get out there and be in a Ferrari here".
He said the car behaved very differently from the Mercedes, after 12 years with the German team, and that it "took a little bit of bedding in" through the first session, which he ended 0.61secs off Leclerc and 12th fastest when the Monegasque was third.
The seven-time champion said: "P2 was definitely a bit better but (I'm) just slowly building and getting a little bit faster bit by bit.
"The car doesn't feel bad or anything. It just requires a different way of driving, so adjusting my driving style bit by bit but enjoying driving."
And he said he was still in the learning process with his new team and car.
"I'm still getting used to the set-up changes," Hamilton said. "I don't have them on call like I used to have at Mercedes because I'd been there so long. I knew exactly all the changes.
"I'm still working through understanding what tools we can use. And it's interesting because you can see with Charles he just knows because he has been here such a long time. I am slowly piecing all the bits of the puzzle together."
On race pace, Hamilton was closer to Leclerc, about 0.1secs on average over a run, as Ferrari edged McLaren for speed.
"Long run was competitive with the others as well," Hamilton said. "McLaren look pretty quick. Looks pretty close up top. It's just generally been a fun day just to be here in red has been awesome."
Leclerc 'targeting pole'
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Charles Leclerc has been with Ferrari since 2019 [Reuters]
Leclerc said he "wanted to be cautious" but he was "targeting pole position".
"We did a good preparation work because the feeling with the car was good," he said.
"There are things we need to improve as always and I am not very happy with the balance yet but we are in a much better place compared to Bahrain testing and there is still some performance to find.
"But that is the same for everyone. The cars are pretty new for everyone and you have to push it to understand where exactly is the limit.
"It has been a solid first day and we have to see how it goes tomorrow when we push a bit more.
"For sure McLaren is up there. Red Bull might be struggling a little bit more for now, but with them and especially Max (Verstappen) you can never really rule them out. I am sure they will be in the fight and Mercedes look strong as well."
Verstappen was seventh fastest for Red Bull, but did not complete his fast lap on the soft tyres after making a mistake at Turn Three.
On race pace, Red Bull appeared to be the fourth quickest car behind Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes, but it was close between the top four and wet weather is expected on Sunday, which will mix things up and is likely to bring Verstappen into the fight for victory.
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