Many data points and room for growth: Hamilton sees an evolving Ferrari
Lewis Hamilton concluded the first phase of Ferrari’s 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain with an intense and productive day, completing nearly 800 kilometres and confirming the solidity of the work carried out by the Scuderia. Between data collection, tyre comparisons, and first impressions of the SF-26, the seven-time world champion provided a clear and insightful assessment of the path ahead for the team over the next two weeks.
A full and methodical day of work
Hamilton followed a tightly structured programme, alternating between short and long stints to evaluate set-ups, procedures, and tyre behaviour. During the morning, he ran exclusively on C3 tyres, focusing on fine-tuning the car and comparing different configurations.
In the afternoon, he completed the programme by testing C1 and C2 compounds as well, finishing with a total of 149 laps. In his assessment, the week was encouraging. Hamilton stated that, overall, it had been a positive week, noting that completing many laps and running the full programme allowed the team to gather a wealth of useful data and gain a better understanding of the car.
The British driver also highlighted that the SF-26 delivered generally good feelings, even within a highly complex technical environment. He commented that the SF-26 seemed solid overall, but this generation of cars is particularly complicated, making it essential to find the right balance, especially when it comes to tyre management.
Early findings and room for improvement
The three days of testing enabled Ferrari to identify strengths and areas that still require development. Lewis Hamilton explained that they had made interesting discoveries and had also pinpointed specific areas where improvements could be made.
Looking ahead to the next test, Lewis Hamilton acknowledged its importance for consolidating the insights gained in Bahrain and for preparing the team for the season opener. He indicated that the upcoming session would be crucial to solidify what they had learned and to continue making progress.
The first week at Sakhir delivered a Ferrari that is solid, reliable, and capable of completing high mileage without issues. Hamilton demonstrated a methodical approach, attentive to detail, and already immersed in the process of understanding the SF-26.
The foundations have been set, but the real work – transforming data into on-track performance – will take place during the next test session. The overall impression is that Ferrari has set off in the right direction, with significant room for growth still to be explored.
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