Hamilton reflects on maiden Ferrari SF-26 shakedown at Fiorano

Lewis Hamilton shared his excitement after getting behind the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26 for the first time during a shakedown at Fiorano. The seven-time champion described the experience as a fresh start with the same winning mission, praising the team's hard work and the "unmatched" passion of the Tifosi.

Why it matters:

This shakedown represents the beginning of a crucial new chapter for both Hamilton and Ferrari as they enter the 2026 regulatory cycle. After a disappointing 2025 season, the team is relying on this high-profile partnership and the new car design to challenge for titles, making early integration and morale vital.

The details:

• First Run: Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc shared driving duties at Fiorano, giving the SF-26 its initial laps before the car's official debut in Barcelona next week.
• Schedule Change: Ferrari has confirmed it will skip the opening day of the Barcelona test to optimize their running schedule.
• Fan Support: Hamilton took to social media to express gratitude, noting that while the drive is new, the objective remains a championship challenge.
• Engineering Team: Carlo Santi, an experienced hand who previously worked with Kimi Raikkonen, will serve as Hamilton's interim race engineer in Barcelona.
  • Santi is collaborating closely with Bryan Bozzi, Leclerc's race engineer, to ensure smooth operations.
• Future Staffing: Ferrari is reportedly still finalizing a permanent race engineer for Hamilton, with rumors suggesting a former McLaren employee could be targeted for the role.

What's next:

The team heads to Barcelona for the first official pre-season test, where the SF-26's true performance potential will be revealed. The focus will be on long-run pace, reliability, and how quickly Hamilton adapts to the Ferrari ecosystem under Santi's guidance.