Ferrari wrapped up the first day of the final pre-season testing session in Bahrain with a total of 117 laps completed and a clear message from Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton: the focus is on understanding the SF-26 and building solid foundations, rather than chasing outright performance at this stage.
In the morning, Charles Leclerc completed 70 laps, covering a total of 379 kilometres, working exclusively with the C3 tyre compound. The programme was entirely dedicated to data collection, evaluating new solutions and analysing the car’s behaviour over stints of varying lengths.
The words of Hamilton and Leclerc after the first day of testing in Bahrain
“This morning we completed our programme without any problems. For now it is very difficult to interpret performance and that is not what we are focused on. We covered many laps, which is a positive aspect, and we will continue to push in the right direction over the coming days.”
Charles Leclerc reiterated that at this stage the priority is to accumulate mileage and understand the reactions of the single-seater. Lap times, at least for now, remain secondary. In the afternoon it was Lewis Hamilton’s turn, as he completed 47 laps, equivalent to 254 kilometres, again using the C3 compound. The British driver continued the development programme, working on setup adjustments and long runs.
A small technical issue temporarily interrupted his session, but the team intervened quickly, allowing him to return to the track in the final part of the stint. “It was a solid day in which we managed to complete a good number of laps, which is positive. We had a small issue during my session, but the team did a great job to get me back out on track and complete some long runs.”
Lewis Hamilton then highlighted the progress compared to the previous tests and the ongoing work on car balance. “We made progress compared to last week and I continue to improve my understanding of the car. We are still working to fine-tune the balance, but we are heading in the right direction.”
The words of the two Ferrari drivers converge on one key point: the SF-26 is accumulating valuable mileage and the understanding of the car is increasing day after day. The upcoming test sessions will be crucial in transforming this data into technical certainty ahead of the season opener.
As the final testing block continues, Ferrari’s ability to consistently hit their lap targets while managing the complexities of the 2026 power units suggests a high level of preparation. By focusing on a methodical, data-driven approach rather than outright speed, Leclerc and Hamilton are ensuring that the SF-26 arrives at the first race with a well-understood and reliable package. This foundation of consistency and reliability could prove to be Ferrari’s greatest asset in the early stages of this new era of Formula 1.
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