F1 | Ferrari, Lewis Hamilton wraps up Barcelona testing: mileage, data and the outright fastest time. Ferrari conclude their Barcelona F1 shakedown with Lewis Hamilton setting the fastest time overall.

Ferrari wrap up Barcelona F1 shakedown as Lewis Hamilton sets the fastest time and reviews the work completed

The fifth and final day of Ferrari’s private testing programme at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya marked the end of the winter shakedown for the SF-26. It was an intense programme, carried out without any major issues, allowing the Scuderia to rack up valuable mileage and gather crucial data ahead of the official pre-season tests in Bahrain. In the afternoon session, the spotlight fell on Lewis Hamilton, who took charge of the final on-track outing for Ferrari’s new car from Maranello.

After the lunch break, the seven-time world champion began his run plan with a clear focus on understanding the car and refining its set-up. Lewis Hamilton started the session on the C2 medium compound, completing 44 laps while alternating between runs of varying length. These were regularly interrupted by returns to the garage for technical checks and set-up adjustments. It was a methodical approach, fully aligned with the goal of maximising learning rather than chasing outright performance at this stage.

With around ninety minutes remaining before the chequered flag, Lewis Hamilton also switched to the softer C3 compound. On the soft tyres, the British driver completed ten laps before returning once again to the C2 compound to bring the day’s programme to a close. By the end of the afternoon, Lewis Hamilton had completed a total of 67 laps, equivalent to 312 kilometres. Overall, Ferrari’s shakedown programme came to an end with 440 laps completed across three days, for a total distance of 2,050 kilometres.

The outright fastest lap and Hamilton’s initial impressions

Adding further significance to the conclusion of Ferrari’s Barcelona test was the fastest lap set by Lewis Hamilton. His 1:16.348 stood as the quickest time recorded across all five days of running at the Spanish circuit. While such figures cannot be taken as a definitive benchmark, the lap time nevertheless provides an encouraging indication of the potential built into the SF-26.

Reflecting on the work completed, the Briton highlighted the positive atmosphere within the team: “It’s been a really enjoyable and productive week. It’s great to see how much of the work done over the winter has translated into smooth running and strong mileage without any major issues.”

The British driver also pointed out how even the more challenging conditions proved useful from a learning perspective: “Driving in the wet with a new car was a valuable experience. There’s still a lot to learn, but the mood in the team is good and now we’ll analyse everything as we look ahead to Bahrain.”

Lewis Hamilton’s performance in Barcelona provides a strong statement of intent for Ferrari’s 2026 campaign, combining the week’s fastest lap with impressive structural reliability. By successfully navigating over 2,000 kilometers of testing, the SF-26 has proven itself to be a robust platform, allowing the team to move beyond basic system checks and into the finer details of performance optimization. Hamilton’s seamless integration into the Maranello setup, coupled with his ability to extract immediate pace from the new regulations, suggests that the Scuderia has laid a formidable foundation for the season ahead. As the focus shifts to the heat of Sakhir, Ferrari leaves Spain with the confidence that their winter development has translated into a car capable of leading the new era of Formula 1.