After emphasizing during the winter that he had rediscovered himself following the difficulties he experienced last season, Lewis Hamilton backed up those words with a solid day of free practice at the Albert Park circuit behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26. The British driver finished second, just behind Charles Leclerc, in the opening practice session of the Australian Grand Prix, while in the second session he ended the day in fourth place, just ahead of his Ferrari teammate.
In total, Lewis Hamilton completed 62 laps throughout the day, allowing him to carry out the full planned program for Ferrari. The mileage enabled the team to work extensively on the setup of the SF-26 while also testing the three Pirelli tyre compounds available for the Melbourne weekend. The consistent run plan allowed Hamilton and the Scuderia engineers to gather valuable data both for qualifying preparation and for potential race scenarios.
Hamilton: “We worked in the best way possible”
Hamilton’s far more optimistic mood was also clearly reflected in his comments about Friday’s practice sessions. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion appeared satisfied with the work carried out on track and with the progress made throughout the day.
“A really good day: it was great to get back on track and start getting serious. It’s amazing to be here and I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love and see so many fans. On track it was challenging at times, but we made the most of the laps available and worked in the best way possible, gathering a lot of useful information. There is still plenty of work to do, but I can’t wait to get back in the car tomorrow.”
After highlighting during the winter that he had rediscovered his confidence following the struggles he experienced last year, Lewis Hamilton delivered a convincing response on track with a productive Friday at Albert Park in the Ferrari SF-26. The British driver once again demonstrated strong pace during the first practice session, finishing second behind Charles Leclerc, before ending the second session in fourth place while still ahead of his teammate.
Across the two sessions Lewis Hamilton completed a total of 62 laps, successfully completing Ferrari’s full run plan. The extensive track time allowed the Scuderia to continue refining the car’s setup and gather additional information on the behaviour of the three tyre compounds supplied by Pirelli for the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
Encouraging signs for Ferrari
The encouraging start to the weekend suggests that Hamilton is becoming increasingly comfortable with Ferrari’s new-generation car. The SF-26 appears to suit his driving style more naturally, something that could prove crucial as the team continues to unlock its full potential throughout the early part of the season.
Once again Lewis Hamilton repeated that the day’s running had been extremely valuable for the team’s preparation, both in terms of outright performance and long-run understanding. “A really good day: it was great to get back on track and start getting serious. It’s amazing to be here and I’m incredibly grateful to be able to do what I love and see so many fans. On track it was challenging at times, but we made the most of the laps available and worked in the best way possible, gathering a lot of useful information. There is still plenty of work to do, but I can’t wait to get back in the car tomorrow.”
These positive signs from Hamilton also align with comments made by Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur earlier in the weekend. According to the Frenchman, the British driver is now far more integrated within the team environment and development process compared to his first year with the Scuderia.
For that reason, Fred Vasseur believes the current situation is naturally easier for Lewis Hamilton compared to last season, when he was still adapting to a completely new team structure and car philosophy. With more experience inside the Ferrari garage and having been involved in the development of the SF-26 for many months, Hamilton now appears more confident as the team continues its preparation for the rest of the Australian Grand Prix weekend.
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