Ferrari driver Lewis Hamilton reportedly set the fastest lap during the 2026 Formula 1 Barcelona shakedown, as teams took their new cars through their first meaningful running together. However, insiders and rival teams are treating the times with caution, understanding that these early sessions are far from indicative of ultimate pace.
Team boss Frederic Vasseur is believed to be pleased with how both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc adapted to the SF-26. Mercedes was the only team to complete more laps than Ferrari, highlighting the early reliability of Ferrari’s 2026 power unit. The Scuderia and its customer teams, Haas and Cadillac, reportedly experienced no major issues with the new hybrid engine, though Mercedes may hold a slight management advantage in the early development stage.
Commentator and motorsport journalist Nelson Valkenburg reflected on the five days of running at the Circuit de Catalunya, emphasizing how difficult it was for observers to gather clear data. Valkenburg noted that Ferrari’s decision to run on Tuesday in challenging wet conditions appeared to surprise many teams in the paddock.
Ferrari’s wet weather strategy raises eyebrows among rivals
Speaking on the Nailing the Apex Podcast, Valkenburg explained that Ferrari’s choice to conduct significant running in low-grip conditions was a strategic move. He suggested that the wet session allowed the team to better optimize the drivability and power delivery of the SF-26 early in its lifecycle. While the car was still running in a basic specification, Ferrari seemed to gather valuable data for future aerodynamic developments.
Valkenburg also questioned Ferrari’s team structure during the test. He pointed out that Lewis Hamilton was using the same race engineer as Charles Leclerc, which could limit Hamilton’s ability to fully understand the car and build a strong working relationship with his engineer—a key part of early testing programs. Valkenburg expressed confusion over this decision, emphasizing the importance of developing driver-engineer familiarity at such an early stage.
Lewis Hamilton adapts to wet conditions at Barcelona
The most talked-about incidents of the Barcelona shakedown involved rival teams, particularly Red Bull. The young driver Isack Hadjar suffered a small off in the wet, damaging his car and setting Red Bull back for two days. Max Verstappen only returned on Friday after spare parts were flown in to ensure the four-time world champion could complete his running.
Lewis Hamilton also experienced a minor spin but enjoyed a far smoother session than Red Bull’s rookies. According to reports from PlanetF1, Hamilton described the wet weather as a productive challenge, noting that the session provided crucial data on tire behavior and car balance. Despite rain affecting most of the afternoon, the Ferrari drivers were able to complete approximately 120 laps, including handling a red flag, and gather substantial feedback for the factory team.
Hamilton reportedly praised the Ferrari engineering team for delivering a car capable of handling the testing conditions so effectively. The feedback gathered from the wet session is expected to play a key role in refining the SF-26 ahead of the next tests in Bahrain. Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc now have an early understanding of the car’s behavior in low-grip conditions, potentially giving Ferrari an edge in the opening rounds of the 2026 Formula 1 season.
Overall, the Barcelona shakedown highlighted Ferrari’s focus on early reliability and strategic data collection. While the fastest lap by Lewis Hamilton drew attention, the real story was the team’s approach to maximizing information from difficult conditions, demonstrating a forward-thinking preparation for the 2026 season.
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