Hamilton to unleash Ferrari power, Verstappen aims 5th straight title ahead of F1 season opener

Formula One defending champion Max Verstappen and Ferrari's superstar recruit Lewis Hamilton appeared modest ahead of Sunday's season-opening Australian Grand Prix.

Red Bull's Verstappen claimed their car was "not the quickest at the moment". That said, the Dutchman aiming for his fifth successive driver's title is certain "a lot of things can always change quite quickly in Formula One".

"I guess we'll find out more this weekend and after. But we'll try to do our best. I mean, there's not really much more that we can do. I think (at) testing, there's not many days.

"So we found that there are already a few areas that we can work on. And that's what we'll continue to do," Verstappen told reporters at Albert Park on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Hamilton can't wait to hop into his Ferrari as he aims to win a record-eighth Formula One world championship. The 40-year-old Briton won seven titles with McLaren and Mercedes.

"Coming into Ferrari power, it's something quite new, different vibration, different feel, different way of working. The whole team works completely differently," Hamilton said.

"You're looking at things from a different perspective, which makes it exciting and challenging. This is the most exciting period of my life, so I'm really just enjoying it and I'm so excited to get in the car tomorrow."

According to Formula One data, as reported by Reuters, McLaren appeared to have the edge in speed at winter testing, but Italian outfit Ferrari were not far behind in Bahrain.

Hamilton reiterated that he was not under pressure and wanted to find his rhythm first in the red car. "Whilst respect is given, trust is something that's built over time. I come with a very open mind coming into this weekend. It is about getting into a season, it's about getting into a good rhythm," Hamilton said.