Hamilton debuts Ferrari SF-26 with iconic Coming to America nod

Lewis Hamilton officially launched his 2026 campaign by taking the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26 for the first time at Fiorano, marking a symbolic fresh start. The seven-time champion delighted fans by delivering a famous line from Coming to America in Italian, signaling his deepening bond with the Scuderia after a rocky start.

Why it matters:

After a challenging debut year in Maranello that Hamilton himself described as forgettable, the pressure is on to deliver results immediately. This gesture, combined with the early running of the new car, suggests a determined effort to reset the narrative and mount a serious title challenge, proving that the partnership has the potential to dominate.

The details:

• First Run: Hamilton completed a handful of installation laps in the SF-26 at Fiorano before handing the car over to his teammate to conclude the scheduled shakedown.
• Cultural Nod: In a video circulating on social media, Hamilton channeled Eddie Murphy’s character from his favorite 1988 film, shouting "Good morning, my neighbours" in flawless Italian, sending the Tifosi into a frenzy.
• Technical Reflection: Hamilton emphasized the thrill of seeing the car come to life, noting that watching the "building blocks" from the simulator translate into a physical machine is the "most exciting part of the year."

What's next:

While the Fiorano shakedown offered only a brief glimpse, the focus now shifts to Barcelona for the start of official testing. The real measure of Ferrari's progress and Hamilton's adaptation will be determined when the car hits the track for competitive running tomorrow.