Lewis Hamilton’s first year at Ferrari was a frustrating one for both sides, with the first season of this highly anticipated partnership failing to deliver the anticipated results.
With that said, there is a far more optimistic tone heading into the 2026 season. In terms of Hamilton’s individual performance, the headaches and problems he experienced with the SF-25 will have no bearing on this year’s package.
The 2026 regulations are seen as more compatible with the 7-time Champion’s driving style. Even in the first days of pre-season, the 40-year-old was giving more positive feedback about his new car.
Beyond this, Ferrari are quietly confident about their 2026 challenger.
The SF-26 is hitting all the targets set out over winter, and a comprehensive development plan is already set in motion.
Hamilton outlines Ferrari’s 2026 development
Traditionally, there is a familiar script for Ferrari in the first months of a new season. This typically involves a lot of anticipation and excitement surrounding the Scuderia’s chances for an upcoming campaign – only for the car to fall short of expectations.
Conscious of this trend, team principal Fred Vasseur has worked hard to keep Ferrari under the radar.
Vasseur regularly emphasises that the first races of 2026 will not define the year, arguing that mid-season development will inevitably see the grid evolve.
For Ferrari specifically, the Frenchman has articulated the team’s plans for the coming months. Like every team, the Maranello outfit does have some upgrades planned.
However, Ferrari are conscious of avoiding the trap of investing too much too early at the beginning of a new season.
With the budget cap limiting development spending, the team want to be assured that every upgrade brought to the circuit will work as intended.
The Scuderia want to avoid what became a familiar theme for many teams during the ground-effect era, where updates did not deliver the performance that the factory data suggested.
This is partly why Ferrari were so meticulous in pre-season testing. It was imperative to collect enough data to ensure an accurate correlation between the simulator in the factory and what the SF-26 was actually producing on track.
In this sense, things are going smoothly so far. Vasseur’s engineers did not see any unpleasant surprises when assessing the telemetry from Bahrain. Overall, the car behaved as anticipated.
Because of this, the first set of upgrades for 2026 should arrive on schedule. The foundations established over the winter break, for the time being, should provide a good platform for the remainder of the year.
For Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc, this is obviously welcome news.
Both drivers have worked extensively over the last twelve months to develop this year’s challenger. This continued in the build-up and immediate aftermath of testing, where Ferrari’s duo returned to the simulator to further the SF-26’s development.
Although pre-season development work is always important, this phase of the year has been particularly important for Lewis Hamilton.
The 7-time Champion wants to hit the ground running in 2026, and has worked towards putting himself in a position to contend:
“My goal last year was to win the World Championship with Ferrari, and I didn’t achieve it,” he told Gazzetta.
“But that doesn’t mean I can’t do it. You have to look within yourself and observe the people around you.
“From your colleagues to your family, stay motivated – and ask yourself some difficult questions… (continues on next page)