Ferrari SF-26 impressions: Lewis Hamilton finds “interesting discoveries” during Sakhir long runs. Lewis Hamilton reflects on a positive three-day Bahrain F1 test with Ferrari.

Lewis Hamilton is satisfied with the first three days of testing in Bahrain: once again today, his pace appeared both strong and consistent.

F1 testing, Ferrari can be pleased

Ferrari concluded the opening phase of pre-season testing with a minor issue, likely related to fuel pickup, but overall the three days in Bahrain provided the Scuderia with encouraging feedback. Just like Charles Leclerc yesterday, Lewis Hamilton completed the full scheduled program, finishing 149 laps — nearly three race distances. Across the three days of running, the SF-26 accumulated 423 laps, covering a total of 2,291 kilometers. The team therefore heads into the second phase of testing with an extremely solid base of data.

Lewis Hamilton, who finished third on today’s timesheets, followed the same program run by Charles Leclerc yesterday. He began his work shortly after 10 a.m. local time and used only the C3 compound in the morning session. His best lap — a 1:34.209 — stands as the fastest time Ferrari recorded over the first three days of testing. In the afternoon, the seven-time world champion also evaluated the C1 and C2 compounds, demonstrating a consistent and competitive race pace before the issue that emerged with ten minutes remaining.

Lewis Hamilton’s comments

“Overall, it has been a positive week. We completed a lot of laps and ran through the entire program, which allowed us to gather plenty of useful data and get to know the car better. The SF-26 has generally given good sensations, but this generation of cars is quite complex, and finding the right operating window, especially with the tyres, is crucial,” Lewis Hamilton commented.

“We made some interesting discoveries and also identified areas where we can improve,” he added. “We still have another test session ahead of us, which will be important to build on what we have learned so far and continue making progress.”

Lewis Hamilton’s successful 149-lap marathon in Bahrain confirms that Ferrari has prioritized mechanical reliability and data depth as they transition into the 2026 technical era. With the SF-26 showing consistent pace across all tire compounds and the Briton already identifying “interesting discoveries” within the setup, the Scuderia appears to be in a significantly stronger starting position than in recent years.