Ferrari Releases Lewis Hamilton Onboard Footage from SF-26 Shakedown

Ferrari has released onboard footage capturing Lewis Hamilton’s inaugural laps in the new SF-26 during the car's shakedown at Fiorano. The video shows the seven-time champion exiting the garage and navigating the track on extreme-wet tyres, marking a symbolic and technical milestone in his highly anticipated partnership with the Scuderia.

Why it matters:

This debut provides the first tangible evidence of Ferrari’s progress under the new 2026 regulations. With simultaneous overhauls to chassis and power unit rules, these early laps are vital for validating the car's mechanical and aerodynamic concept. It also highlights the immediate collaboration between Hamilton and the engineering team as they prepare to dethrone the current grid leaders.

The details:

• Driver Rotation: Hamilton was given the honor of being the first to sample the SF-26, with teammate Charles Leclerc taking over driving duties later in the shakedown.
• Active Aerodynamics: The footage reveals Hamilton actively testing the new moveable aero devices. The 2026 rules allow drivers to adjust front and rear wings to switch between high-downforce modes for cornering and low-drag settings for straights.
• Conditions: The shakedown took place in wet and murky conditions at Fiorano, providing an immediate test of the car's drivability and grip on Pirelli's extreme-wet tyres.

Looking ahead:

As the dust settles at Fiorano, the team will now pore over the data collected from this shakedown. The real test awaits at the first official pre-season test, where Ferrari will see how their radical 2026 philosophy stacks up against Red Bull, McLaren, and Mercedes.