Ferrari telemetry reveals Lewis Hamilton topped all race simulations during Sakhir F1 testing. Lewis Hamilton set the fastest race simulation of the Bahrain F1 test.

Lewis Hamilton closed out the first pre-season Formula 1 test in Bahrain by recording the third fastest overall lap time, completing a best effort of 1:34.209. This put him just under half a second behind Kimi Antonelli’s blistering benchmark set in the Mercedes, highlighting the competitive pace of the top teams even in the early stages of testing.

George Russell secured a Mercedes one-two on the timing sheets, while Charles Leclerc finished immediately behind Lewis Hamilton in fourth place. However, analysts stress that a more accurate assessment of one-lap performance will likely emerge at the conclusion of the second Bahrain test, when all teams have had more consistent running and completed high-fuel simulations.

Ferrari appears strongest in long-run performance

During the test, Lewis Hamilton focused on high-fuel runs, completing an impressive 138 laps on Friday alone—equivalent to nearly two and a half Bahrain Grand Prix distances. This included a full race simulation under the floodlights, providing Ferrari with crucial data on long-run consistency and tire management. At this stage, long-run pace and fuel management are widely considered more informative than outright single-lap speed, and Ferrari currently appear to have the edge in this area.

Charles Leclerc had already turned heads during his own race simulation on Thursday, but Lewis Hamilton managed to go even faster on the final day. Observers noted that track evolution, with additional rubber laid down over the course of the week, contributed to improved grip levels. Nevertheless, the Briton’s performance demonstrated a strong adaptation to the SF-26 and offered a morale boost following his challenging first season with Ferrari, in which he failed to score a single podium.

Ferrari’s upgraded package fuels optimism

Commentators from Sky Sports, including Ted Kravitz and Craig Slater, highlighted Ferrari’s apparent dominance in race trim following upgrades introduced on day two. These improvements included a new floor, front wing, and diffuser, which collectively enhanced the car’s balance and long-run speed.

According to Ted Kravitz, Ferrari completed a simulated Bahrain Grand Prix quicker than any other team, emphasizing Lewis Hamilton’s impressive pace over Charles Leclerc during the same run. Slater described Hamilton’s performance as a headline-worthy achievement, noting that the seven-time world champion left the test with the fastest race simulation in the field.

Kravitz further explained that Hamilton’s performance marked a dramatic improvement over day one, when he had described the SF-26 as having so little grip that it felt closer to a Formula 2 or GP2 car. The upgrades introduced over the following days clearly addressed many of these initial handling concerns.

Remaining challenges for Ferrari

Despite these positive signs, Ferrari still face areas that require attention. Observers, including Kimi Antonelli, noticed Charles Leclerc struggling with understeer during day two of testing, while Lewis Hamilton reported sliding issues on the opening day, which he partly attributed to track conditions. Ferrari are also examining engine braking characteristics after telemetry indicated some anomalies. Technical gremlins like these are expected in the early stages of testing and are being systematically addressed by the team.

The SF-26 has largely performed reliably, though the British driver did experience a brief stoppage on track during the final minutes of Friday’s session. Given his high overall lap count and the absence of recurring mechanical issues, this is not currently considered a major concern.

Looking ahead to the second Bahrain test

With the SF-26 yet to reach its final configuration, Ferrari will continue refining both aerodynamic and mechanical aspects in the lead-up to the second Bahrain test. Analysts predict that Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc will benefit from these developments, with further upgrades likely to enhance balance, tire performance, and race-long consistency. If Ferrari can maintain this strong long-run pace, they may enter the Australian Grand Prix with a competitive advantage over rivals McLaren, Mercedes and Red Bull, positioning both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc for a strong start to the 2026 season.