F1 | Ferrari reports a positive second day of Barcelona shakedown tests
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur spoke at the conclusion of Day 4 of the ongoing shakedown tests in Barcelona. For the Scuderia, this marked the second day of on-track activity out of a possible three, but it was the first day with consistently dry conditions, allowing the team to work at full pace on their pre-planned testing programme. The feedback from the day was positive, particularly due to the number of laps completed: a total of 174, with 85 laps in the morning for Lewis Hamilton and 89 laps in the afternoon for Charles Leclerc.
Vasseur on the day
Fred Vasseur stated, “So far, our shakedown has been productive. After a challenging first day affected by weather, today we managed to run consistently and, above all, to accumulate mileage, which is the primary goal. Reliability and learning are the priorities at this stage, especially given such a significant regulation change. We collected a large amount of data and followed the planned programme. There is still a lot to do before the season begins, but that is exactly the purpose of these days: to understand the car, analyse every area in detail, and continue improving step by step ahead of the Bahrain season opener.”
As the Barcelona shakedown nears its conclusion, Ferrari appears to be in a strong position regarding their 2026 roadmap. The ability to switch seamlessly between Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc while maintaining a high level of operational efficiency suggests that the internal integration within the team is progressing well. While the “Spec A” cars seen in Spain will undoubtedly evolve before the first race, Fred Vasseur’s emphasis on reliability confirms that Ferrari is prioritizing a “finish first to finish” philosophy for the dawn of this new F1 era. The 174 laps completed today are a summary of a successful shift from simulation to reality, providing the team with the confidence needed to push the SF-26 even further in the coming weeks.
