Lewis Hamilton took to the cockpit of his Ferrari SF-26 for the very first time on Friday at the Fiorano circuit, marking the official start of the Scuderia’s preparations for the 2026 Formula 1 season. After a challenging 2025, where the Brit failed to score a podium in the SF-25, Hamilton and Ferrari are hoping that the new technical regulations and the updated car can provide a fresh start for the seven-time world champion.
The SF-26’s livery immediately drew comparisons to Kimi Raikkonen’s 2016 Ferrari, featuring a significantly higher amount of white around the cockpit compared to its predecessor, which struggled throughout last season. Hamilton, who had spent time at the Maranello factory ahead of the shakedown—a practice the team has not undertaken since the Michael Schumacher era—climbed into the car for the first run.
Initial onboard footage caused a stir on social media when Hamilton appeared to stop on track shortly after starting. However, it later emerged that the halts were part of the planned filming procedure, and the car itself was performing flawlessly. There were no mechanical issues, and the SF-26’s debut on the track went smoothly.
Fans were quick to react to Hamilton’s onboard shots, praising the new cockpit, suspension, and steering wheel designs. Social media users highlighted the car’s aggressive look and striking absence of wheel arches around the tyres. Many noted that the design gave the SF-26 a “menacing” and “old-school cool” appearance, with Reddit users commenting on how much better the onboard view looked without the wheel arches.
The pressure on Ferrari for the 2026 season is immense. After a winless 2025 campaign, the Tifosi are eager to see the Prancing Horse on top of the podium again. Hamilton himself is reportedly highly motivated, with speculation that he could leave Ferrari and even F1 altogether at the end of 2026 if he fails to achieve success. The SF-26 could therefore represent the 41-year-old driver’s last chance to fight for glory in a Ferrari.
Early indications from the Fiorano shakedown are promising. Ferrari appears to have made key refinements to the SF-26, particularly with engine packaging and sidepod design, which could provide the team with a crucial performance advantage. While the Fiorano spec impressed, it is not the final version that will appear in Melbourne for the first race. Ferrari plans to introduce an updated sidepod configuration in March, leaving questions about whether the team’s initial advantage will be sustained throughout the season.
Despite the unknowns, the SF-26’s first appearance on track has already generated excitement among fans and analysts alike. With Hamilton at the wheel, Ferrari is aiming to turn a challenging 2025 into a competitive 2026 campaign, while showcasing a car that is visually striking and technically ambitious. The combination of Lewis Hamilton’s experience, Charles Leclerc’s consistency, and the team’s refined designs may well define Ferrari’s trajectory in the early stages of the season.
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