Lewis Hamilton pinpoints Ferrari setup challenge despite encouraging Madrid GP practice

Lewis Hamilton believes Ferrari still has work to do to place the SF-26 consistently inside its ideal operating window after an encouraging start to the Madrid Grand Prix weekend. Charles Leclerc and Hamilton both finished the second practice session only fractions behind Kimi Antonelli, giving the Maranello team more positive indications than it experienced during the previous round at Monza.

The early pace suggested that the characteristics of the new Spanish circuit may be better suited to the SF-26, particularly through its sequence of corners. However, Hamilton made clear that extracting that performance consistently remains Ferrari’s main challenge before qualifying, with car balance becoming increasingly difficult to manage as Friday progressed.

Lewis Hamilton identifies Ferrari’s Madrid GP setup challenge

Hamilton described the circuit as enjoyable to drive and regarded FP1 as a solid starting point for Ferrari. As the track evolved, however, the seven-time world champion explained that it became progressively more difficult to keep the car inside the correct operating range, leaving several areas for the team to study, particularly the overall balance.

That challenge is especially significant at a new venue where grip levels are expected to change considerably as more rubber is deposited on the racing line. Ferrari must therefore not only understand the SF-26’s behaviour from Friday, but also anticipate how the car will respond as conditions improve through final practice and qualifying.

The setup task is also influenced by the very different technical demands compared with Monza. Ferrari arrived in Spain with a configuration better suited to the greater aerodynamic load required around Madrid, with the team’s Madrid aerodynamic approach reflecting the change from the extreme low-drag conditions of the Italian Grand Prix.

SF-26 offers more encouraging signs after difficult Monza weekend

Friday nevertheless provided Ferrari with reasons for encouragement. Leclerc and Hamilton were both close to Antonelli in FP2, while the SF-26 appeared more comfortable through the corners than it had during the previous race weekend. The different circuit characteristics had already raised the possibility that the SF-26 could be better suited to Madrid than Monza, and the opening practice sessions offered an initial opportunity to assess that theory on track.

Only one red flag interrupted FP2, allowing the teams to accumulate a useful amount of running while drivers continued exploring the limits of a circuit that remains unfamiliar to the entire grid. The layout had previously prompted concerns about how demanding and potentially difficult it could be, although its driving characteristics appeared to receive a more positive response once Formula 1 cars began running.

Ferrari will obtain another important set of data during final practice, when conditions should provide a clearer indication of the balance required for qualifying. Hamilton emphasised that the information collected across Friday would be studied carefully overnight, with several positive elements already identified and further progress targeted before the grid-setting session.

Qualifying could make Ferrari’s setup work even more important

Finding the correct compromise before qualifying may carry particular importance because overtaking opportunities are expected to be limited around the Madrid circuit. That places additional value on starting position and increases the potential consequences of even a small setup error during the decisive laps on Saturday.

Hamilton therefore remains focused on refining the SF-26 rather than drawing firm conclusions from Ferrari’s Friday competitiveness. The British driver indicated that the team had gathered a substantial amount of useful information from its first day at the new venue and believed there were positive aspects to build on before qualifying.

For Ferrari, the immediate objective is to turn that encouraging underlying pace into a more predictable car across changing track conditions. If the engineers can improve the balance and widen the usable setup window, Leclerc and Hamilton should be better placed to exploit the stronger feeling shown during Friday practice when qualifying begins.

The Madrid weekend continues with final practice and qualifying before the Grand Prix, with the full timetable available in the 2026 Spanish Grand Prix schedule and start times.