IMOLA, May 16 – Lewis Hamilton admitted yesterday that he had underestimated how difficult it would be for him to adapt to life with Ferrari after 12 years with Mercedes.

The 40-year-old seven-time world champion won six of his championships with the ‘silver arrows’ before his sensational exit last year.

“I anticipated it would be very tough because I’ve joined a team before and I came in with a really open mind.

“I just didn’t know how tough it was going to be,” he admitted at Imola ahead of this weekend’s Emilia Romagna Grand Prix.