LEW KID ON THE GRID

Excited Ferrari star says he feels like rookie again

- by DANIEL MOXON

LEWIS HAMILTON feels like a Formula 1 rookie again and says that his first few weeks as a Ferrari driver have been "the most exciting period of my life".

The seven-time champion has spent the winter adjusting to life with the Italian team and tested his new racing car in Bahrain last month.

But the 40-year-old will race it for the first time in Melbourne this weekend and admitted it feels like he is making his F1 debut all over again.

He said: "I'm very, very fortunate I've had this amazing career in F1.

"Starting with McLaren here in 2007 was an epic feeling, then starting with a new team again in Mercedes was incredibly special. I think this is reminiscent probably of my first year.