Hamilton encouraged by Ferrari's 'better' start to testing compared to last year

Lewis Hamilton has expressed optimism about Ferrari's 2026 prospects after his first dry-weather run in the SF-26, noting that pre-season testing has started more smoothly than it did 12 months ago despite sweeping new technical regulations. The seven-time champion completed 85 laps in a single session, highlighting the car's initial reliability as a positive foundation.

Why it matters:

A trouble-free and productive testing phase is critical for any team, but it carries extra weight for Ferrari as it integrates a new superstar driver and adapts to a major regulatory overhaul. For Hamilton, a clean start builds essential confidence and data, setting a more optimistic tone for his historic first season with the Scuderia compared to the often problematic beginnings of recent years.

The details:

• Hamilton's second session in the car was his first under fully dry conditions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, allowing for a proper evaluation of the SF-26's baseline performance.
• He logged a high mileage of 85 laps in just the morning session, a significant and positive data-gathering exercise for the team's new power unit.
• The veteran driver directly credited the work at Maranello, stating the car has been "really reliable" so far, which he called "amazing" given the scale of the changes.
• His key comparison point was the 2025 test, which he described as having a "worse start," making this year's relative smoothness a marked improvement.

What's next:

The immediate focus remains on maximizing track time, refining the car's setup, and understanding the new package's limits before the season opener. Hamilton's hopefulness is a psychological boost, but the true test will come in competitive sessions. This stable start must now translate into consistent performance development and, ultimately, race-winning pace if Ferrari is to challenge for the championship in this new era and justify Hamilton's high-profile move.