Lewis Hamilton has tough start with Ferrari, qualifying eighth in F1 Australian GP

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari odyssey got off to a tough start on Saturday after the British driver qualified in eighth for Sunday's Australian Grand Prix.

The seven-time F1 world champion was refreshingly honest after qualifying, saying he’s still not dialled into the Scuderia’s team plans just yet — even if rain forecasted for Sunday's race could bring him back into contention.

“Charles (Leclerc) has more experience of course, but I’m building confidence with the car and learning how to unlock its potential,” Hamilton said.

“Now we will get our heads down and try to find out how we can close the gap. Tomorrow is going to be a challenge, especially as I’ve not driven this car in the wet, but we will be giving it all we can to have a positive first race and be up there.”

Melbourne is expecting contrasting weather conditions on Sunday, with an overcast warm morning giving way to a cool change in the late morning — and a very high chance of showers.

Lando Norris set a searing final qualifying lap to secure pole position for the race, his first at Melbourne’s Albert Park, and milestone 10th overall, in front of his teammate Oscar Piastri, and a record Saturday crowd of 136,347 at Albert Park.

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Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during the third practice session at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during qualifying at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Scott Barbour)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during qualifying at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Heath McKinley )

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during qualifying at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Asanka Brendon Ratnayake)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain prepares for qualifying at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (Tracey Nearmy/Pool Photo via AP)

Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton of Britain steers his car during qualifying at the Australian Formula One Grand Prix at Albert Park, in Melbourne, Australia, Saturday, March 15, 2025. (AP Photo/Heath McKinley)

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump’s motorcade took a different route than usual to the airport as he was departing Florida on Sunday due to a “suspicious object,” according to the White House.

The object, which the White House did not describe, was discovered during security sweeps in advance of Trump’s arrival at Palm Beach International Airport.

“A further investigation was warranted and the presidential motorcade route was adjusted accordingly,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Sunday.

The president, when asked about the package by reporters, said, “I know nothing about it.”

Trump left his Palm Beach, Florida, club, Mar-a-Lago, around 6:20 p.m. for the roughly 10-minute drive to the airport, but took a circular route around the city to get there.

During the drive, police officers on motorcycles created a moving blockade for the motorcade, at one point almost colliding with the vans that accompanied Trump.

Air Force One was parked on the opposite side of the airport from where it is usually located and the lights outside the plane were turned off.

Anthony Guglielmi, the spokesman for U.S. Secret Service, said the secondary route was taken just as a precaution and that “that is standard protocol.”

President Donald Trump departs Trump International Golf Club in the presidential limousine, known as The Beast, Sunday, Jan. 11, 2026, in West Palm Beach, Fla. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)