SHANGHAI: An upbeat Lewis Hamilton declared Thursday things would be different at the Chinese Grand Prix after a disappointing debut with Ferrari in Melbourne, saying his new team “can close the gap” on McLaren. The seven-time world champion qualified eighth and finished 10th at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

“I’m just going to set the car up a bit different this weekend,” Hamilton told reporters ahead of his second outing in red at the Shanghai International Circuit, where he has won on a record six occasions. “I think as I get more and more comfortable and more knowledgeable about the car, I can start making more decisions (about its set-up),” he added.

“I’m having those discussions and going to lean a little bit more with adding my experience.” Hamilton’s former Mercedes team-mate George Russell told reporters that McLaren, whose Lando Norris won in Australia, were quick enough to win every race.

But Hamilton cautioned: “It has only been one race. Yes, McLaren has done a great job and they’re looking very strong. “We’re still just taking the time to learn the car and to be able to extract more from it. “We definitely have work to do, I don’t think we’re on the pace of the McLarens, but I think we can close the gap.”

Hamilton conceded it had been a poor weekend for Ferrari in Melbourne, where the team strategists gambled and lost on leaving him out on slick tyres when he was leading as rain returned. “I mean, it wasn’t the race that we wanted but it’s not a moment to throw the toys out the pram,” said Hamilton.

Teammate Charles Leclerc was eighth, meaning Ferrari’s dismal five points from the race was their worst season-opening performance since 2009. “It is what it is. One small thing could have made a big difference in our result, but yeah, we move forward,” said Hamilton.

“Everyone’s still motivated. You got everyone here with their heads high, the energy is still good in the garage. “We’re not going to be defined by that one race.”

Meanwhile, Thai F1 ace Alex Albon said Thursday he was excited at the possibility of a future grand prix in his home country and would do everything he could to help make it a reality. Thailand’s only Formula One driver said he had been keeping up with developments after F1 chief Stefano Domenicali met the Thai prime minister on Tuesday. The Italian ex-Ferrari boss, who has just extended his contract to lead the sport until 2029, is keen to examine new markets as the sport soars in popularity.

Williams driver Albon said he hoped to talk to Domenicali about it at this week’s Chinese Grand Prix. “I think we’re going to reach out later,” Albon told reporters at the Shanghai International Circuit. “It’s very exciting, clearly for myself and I think for all of Formula One as well.

“Thailand’s an amazing country. And I’m sure people who have actually been to Thailand will all vouch for that. “I’ll be excited to hopefully one day show my colleagues the culture of Thailand and the food.” Formula One currently stages one race in Southeast Asia, in Singapore, which is regarded as the toughest race of the season because of the intense heat and humidity. A race around the streets of the Thai capital Bangkok would be equally attritional.

“It will be interesting, the heat, that’s one area which we might become a Singapore 2.0,” said Albon. “On my side I’m just doing everything I can to make that happen. Let’s see what happens.” Most of Formula One’s 24-race schedule is confirmed for several years, but gaps are set to open up and Domenicali suggested at the weekend that Thailand could be a contender to join the circuit. “I was delighted to meet with Paetongtarn Shinawatra, the Prime Minister of Thailand, and her team today to discuss their impressive plans to host a race in Bangkok,” said Domenicali in a statement after the meeting.

“I am looking forward to continuing our discussions in the weeks and months ahead.” After the talks, the prime minister said Thailand would move ahead with a feasibility study on hosting F1. “It’s not just about the honour of hosting the race, but also a significant opportunity to develop urban infrastructure, welcome tourists from around the world to Thailand and develop industry and service sectors,” she posted on X. — AFP