The Ferrari driver explained: “We have understood a bit where we stand.”
Plenty of laps and a spin
On Thursday morning, Lewis Hamilton was back behind the wheel of his Ferrari SF-26 for a test session that finally took place on a dry track, following his debut at Fiorano and Tuesday’s wet-weather running in Barcelona.
The seven-time world champion completed a total of 85 laps – finishing more than 1.7 seconds behind the morning pace-setter Andrea Kimi Antonelli – and also experienced his first spin of the season. In the afternoon, Lewis Hamilton then handed the car over to team-mate Charles Leclerc, as planned. A stronger start to testing can shape early perceptions ahead of the season, something that is often reflected in 2026 Formula 1 betting and predictions.
Hamilton’s comments: cautious optimism?
Speaking to Sky Sports UK, Lewis Hamilton analysed his morning on track: “It was nice to be able to do some laps on the dry, because our first day on track was affected by terrible weather. At Fiorano I only did two laps to get a feel for the car, so it was fantastic to be able to run a bit more and understand the tyres.
“Today we tested the C2 and C1 compounds, but it was so cold that they didn’t really work very well. In any case, we completed our programme, getting a better idea of where the car is at and where we need to improve.” – he pointed out.
Hamilton did not want to commit himself on the true potential of the SF-26, although he did note a clear step forward compared to the recent past: “When you come to testing, you always want to do a lot of laps. This morning I completed 85 laps, which was great, and that’s thanks to all the people at the factory who have done an excellent job to give us a car that has been really reliable so far.
“Last year we had a terrible start to testing. So, also considering that this is a completely new set of regulations, it is better than what we have experienced in the past. I really hope it continues like this.”
Lewis Hamilton’s early feedback suggests that Ferrari has successfully navigated the initial hurdles of the 2026 technical transition, prioritizing reliability and consistent mileage. While cold temperatures made tire evaluation difficult, the sheer volume of laps completed marks a significant step forward compared to the struggles of previous pre-seasons. This solid foundation in Barcelona provides the team with the necessary data to refine the SF-26 before heading to the more representative conditions of Bahrain.
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