Lewis Hamilton completes Abu Dhabi tests: insights on 2026 F1 tires and car. Lewis Hamilton completes Abu Dhabi tests with 2026 tires and new regulations car.

Lewis Hamilton has wrapped up the season with the Abu Dhabi tests, marking a valuable opportunity to get a first look at the 2026 tires and the car designed for the new regulations. The seven-time world champion finished 11th overall, and third among the main drivers, demonstrating his ability to adapt despite a challenging 2025 season.

Abu Dhabi tests: Hamilton third among the main drivers

After a season of zero podiums—a first in his legendary career—Lewis Hamilton faced the Abu Dhabi testing sessions with optimism. Having started his Ferrari adventure with great enthusiasm, the British driver encountered a complex reality with a car that was sometimes difficult to understand and manage.

During the tests, Lewis Hamilton evaluated the tires planned for the 2026 championship and ran simulations of the car for the new technical regulations. Despite the challenges, he seemed to appreciate the opportunity, securing the third-fastest time among the main drivers and 11th overall, including rookies who were running with the already well-tested 2025 cars.

Lewis Hamilton’s words

“Today we tested the new tires and completed our program, which helped us understand their behavior better,” Lewis Hamilton commented. He also praised the mechanics after a long and exhausting season. “It was a great learning opportunity, and overall it was a very positive day. I’m really grateful to all the guys in the garage for working so hard during this last day of testing at the end of a long season, which is no easy task. I’m proud of them because they gave their all, and I’m thankful they pushed through until the very end of this day.” – the British driver said.

At Abu Dhabi, drivers had the chance to test the tires planned for the next Formula 1 season—a set of C2 tires and three sets each of C3, C4, and C5—using specially adapted mule cars in a “Monza version” to simulate low aerodynamic load and the behavior of the cars that will debut in 2026.

For a driver who has openly questioned whether he will continue beyond 2026 if the car isn’t competitive, hearing him talk about pride and gratitude rather than frustration is the most positive note Ferrari could have asked for as everyone finally switches off the lights for the winter break.

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