Hamilton expresses optimism after 'better-than-expected' Ferrari winter test

Lewis Hamilton offered a positive initial assessment of Ferrari's 2026 car after completing a productive morning session on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona. The seven-time champion highlighted strong reliability and a solid foundation, a marked improvement from the team's challenging start last year.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's first public comments on the SF-26's performance set an early tone for his highly anticipated debut season with the Scuderia. His emphasis on reliability and mileage over outright pace suggests Ferrari's primary winter goal was met, providing a crucial baseline of data and confidence as the team prepares for the final test in Bahrain and the season opener.

The Details:

• Hamilton completed 85 laps during the Thursday morning session, praising the team's work on reliability which allowed for a smooth and extensive run program.
• He directly compared this year's test to 2025, stating, "Last year, we had a worse start to testing. So this is actually, considering it's a completely new band of rules, it's better than we've experienced in the past."
• The afternoon session saw teammate Charles Leclerc take over the car to run a different set-up and test program, with the pair planning to consolidate their findings to direct the final day of running.
• While Ferrari focused on data gathering, Mercedes continued to show impressive raw pace, with George Russell reportedly dipping into the 1:17s at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.

What's Next:

The team's immediate focus is the final day of the Barcelona test before the entire grid relocates to Bahrain for the second and final pre-season test.

• Hamilton indicated the priority is to analyze the collected data and make "clear and concise decisions" on what to test next in Bahrain.
• The true competitive picture will remain unclear until qualifying in Bahrain, but Hamilton's initial satisfaction provides an encouraging first step for the new partnership.