Lewis Hamilton has already logged an extensive workload during Ferrari’s early running in Barcelona, completing a total of 142 laps across his first two days at the wheel of the 2026 Ferrari SF-26. At this stage of the winter testing programme, raw mileage remains the most valuable currency, allowing both drivers and engineers to build a foundational understanding of an entirely new technical package.
Lewis Hamilton’s initial running took place in mixed conditions, with wet weather on Tuesday limiting the scope of meaningful performance analysis. His first representative dry laps followed on Thursday, when Ferrari was able to push the programme forward more decisively. Under the current shakedown regulations, teams are permitted three days of on-track running, and Ferrari opted to split each of those days evenly between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc in order to accelerate correlation work and data gathering.
There is intense curiosity among Formula 1 fans and paddock insiders alike over whether the Ferrari SF-26 represents a genuine step forward compared to its difficult predecessor. Lewis Hamilton endured a frustrating final season before his move, failing to secure a single podium finish and rarely appearing comfortable over extended stints. That context only heightens the focus on his early adaptation to Ferrari’s 2026 challenger.
Adding another layer of complexity, Lewis Hamilton is currently operating without a permanent race engineer following the reassignment of Riccardo Adami. At the same time, persistent rumours suggest Ferrari may have recruited Cédric Grosjean, formerly of McLaren, as part of a broader reorganisation of its engineering structure ahead of the new regulations.
Repeated corner difficulties emerge during the Barcelona shakedown
Although the Barcelona shakedown has taken place behind closed doors, several members of the Formula 1 media have managed to observe sections of the circuit from elevated vantage points. One such observer, content creator Ekaitz Gil, focused on Turn 10 during Thursday’s on-track activity and reported a number of notable moments involving Lewis Hamilton.
The recently reprofiled Turn 10 is widely regarded as one of the most demanding corners on the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya. The long-radius left-hander places heavy emphasis on front-end confidence, rear stability and overall balance through sustained lateral load. Historically, this type of corner has exposed weaknesses in Ferrari machinery, particularly when it comes to managing oversteer on corner exit.
During the session, Lewis Hamilton experienced an awkward spin on the exit of Turn 10, an incident that drew attention due to its unusual nature. According to Ekaitz Gil’s observations, this moment was not isolated. Lewis Hamilton also ran wide on multiple occasions at the same corner, including at least one instance that was caught on camera, suggesting persistent difficulty in keeping the SF-26 under control through that section.
The behaviour of the car appeared to indicate a tendency toward oversteer, especially as Lewis Hamilton attempted to carry speed through the exit phase of the corner. This is consistent with a driver still learning the limits of a new aerodynamic platform, particularly one governed by the radically different technical regulations introduced for 2026.
From a broader perspective, these struggles are not unexpected. Lewis Hamilton is simultaneously adapting to Ferrari’s operating methods, a new power unit philosophy, and an entirely new generation of Formula 1 cars. Shakedown running is designed precisely for this purpose, with teams deliberately experimenting with aggressive setup variations in order to identify strengths, weaknesses and correlation gaps between track data and simulation tools.
Nevertheless, Ekaitz Gil’s assessment suggested that Lewis Hamilton appeared to be the driver who suffered the most through Turn 10 compared to others on track at the same time. The session also featured Mercedes driver Andrea Kimi Antonelli, McLaren’s Oscar Piastri, Racing Bulls driver Liam Lawson and Cadillac’s Sergio Perez, all of whom navigated the corner with fewer visible issues.
Early feedback and expectations around the Ferrari SF-26
Against this backdrop, discussion has intensified around Lewis Hamilton’s influence on Ferrari’s 2026 development direction. Reports from the Italian media have suggested that Ferrari’s technical group has placed significant weight on Lewis Hamilton’s feedback during the design phase of the SF-26, a shift from perceptions last season that his input was not always prioritised.
Former IndyCar driver and current analyst James Hinchcliffe has publicly argued that Lewis Hamilton enters the new season with more to prove than any other driver on the grid. If the Ferrari SF-26 ultimately proves to be better aligned with his driving preferences, external excuses will quickly fall away, placing the spotlight firmly on on-track performance.
Despite the visible challenges observed in Barcelona, Lewis Hamilton’s initial impressions of the Ferrari have been broadly encouraging. He has pointed out that the car appears free from porpoising, a severe aerodynamic instability that plagued teams during the previous regulatory era and often undermined driver confidence.
Lewis Hamilton has also noted that the 2026 cars produce noticeably less downforce overall, a change that aligns with expectations following the introduction of the new ruleset. He has described the regulations as extremely demanding from a driving and engineering standpoint, while also framing that challenge as a positive opportunity to reset the competitive order.
As Ferrari continues its preparations ahead of the official Bahrain pre-season tests, the focus will remain on refining balance, improving corner stability and ensuring that the SF-26 can deliver consistency across a wide range of conditions. For Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc alike, the early signs from Barcelona represent only the first chapter in what promises to be one of the most closely scrutinised seasons in recent Formula 1 history.
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