David Croft praises Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari as a “rocket” off the line during Bahrain F1 testing

During day two of the 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, Lewis Hamilton delivered the fastest launches in both practice start sessions, showcasing the impressive performance of his Ferrari SF-26. Commentator David Croft was particularly impressed, describing Hamilton’s starts as akin to a “rocket” propelling off the grid.

The FIA has been experimenting with refinements to the race start procedure at the conclusion of each testing session. This comes after concerns were raised that inconsistent getaways across the field could increase the risk of first-corner incidents. On Thursday, all drivers were instructed to complete two formation laps prior to accelerating toward the first corner. The intention is to give teams and drivers more time to prepare, enabling cleaner and safer starts once the season officially begins.

Inside the paddock, speculation suggests that Ferrari may have engineered a smaller turbocharger for the SF-26, which allows for a faster build-up of boost and more responsive launches. If this proves reliable, it could become a significant advantage at the start of races, particularly in tight first corners.

David Croft highlights Ferrari’s exceptional launch performance

At the second simulated start of the day, Lewis Hamilton quickly overtook Liam Lawson in the Racing Bulls, Kimi Antonelli in the Mercedes, Esteban Ocon in the Haas, and Max Verstappen in the Red Bull, seizing the lead before the first corner. David Croft, calling the live feed, remarked that Hamilton’s Ferrari had once again performed like a “rocket launcher” on the grid, reinforcing the team’s reputation for superior launch capabilities.

F1 broadcaster Anthony Davidson also commented on Ferrari’s advantage, noting that the Scuderia might even outperform their engine customers in terms of race starts. If this trend continues, the Briton and Charles Leclerc could be in a strong position to challenge for the lead at the Australian Grand Prix, even when starting from the second row.

Ferrari’s consistent launch performance gives them a strategic edge

Despite Lewis Hamilton being fourth-fastest on the day overall, with his best lap six-tenths off the benchmark set by Kimi Antonelli, Ferrari’s consistency in practice starts stood out. Davidson highlighted that the team’s focus on launch performance provides a strategic benefit, allowing drivers to gain multiple positions off the grid. He noted that even if the SF-26 is not the absolute fastest on low-fuel runs, the ability to overtake several cars in the opening moments could outweigh other deficits.

According to Davidson, Ferrari’s approach allows their drivers to essentially secure a strong position before the first major racing battles unfold: if they can reach the second row cleanly, a significant portion of the work is already done.

Ferrari’s radical “upside-down” rear wing makes a splash

Thursday also marked the debut of Ferrari’s highly unconventional “upside-down” rear wing, one of the most radical aerodynamic concepts seen in recent years. Lewis Hamilton spent much of the morning in the garage due to an unspecified technical issue, but he still completed a solid number of laps after lunch, even with a red flag caused by Fernando Alonso. Early telemetry suggested that Hamilton gained around 8-10 km/h in top speed thanks to the new wing, although the overall lap performance may have been affected elsewhere.

Sources indicate that the upside-down wing functions primarily as an energy-saving device rather than a conventional drag reduction system. Ferrari reverted to a more traditional rear wing configuration after the session, leaving it unclear whether the radical design will reappear in future pre-season tests or in Melbourne.

The combination of Ferrari’s precise launch strategies, potential turbo innovations, and bold aerodynamic experimentation demonstrates the team’s aggressive approach to starting performance and efficiency. With Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc at the wheel, the SF-26 could emerge as one of the most formidable machines in the opening races of the 2026 F1 season.