Hamilton Gets First Dry Run in Ferrari After Wet Start to Testing

Lewis Hamilton completed his first significant dry-weather running in Ferrari's 2026 car during F1 testing in Barcelona, overcoming a wet and "miserable" start earlier in the week. The session provided crucial early data, though cool conditions made generating tire grip a challenge.

Why it matters:

This marks a critical, tangible step in Hamilton's landmark transition from Mercedes to Ferrari. Beyond the symbolism, these initial laps are the first real opportunity for the seven-time champion to provide engineering feedback on the car he will campaign with in 2026, setting the foundation for his integration into the team.

The details:

• Hamilton's first track action on Tuesday was in wet conditions, limiting productive running. His dry run came Thursday morning, where he completed 87 laps.
• The focus was on understanding the Pirelli C1 and C2 tire compounds, but cool track temperatures made it difficult to generate optimal heat and grip.
• The challenging conditions led to a harmless spin for Hamilton, a common occurrence in testing as drivers explore limits.
• Despite the hurdles, the team completed its planned program, gathering valuable data on the car's baseline performance.

What's next:

The testing program continues as Hamilton and Ferrari build a working relationship and a knowledge base for the 2026 project. The immediate focus will be on analyzing the data from these initial runs to guide development directions. Hamilton's feedback, combined with the team's engineering efforts, will shape the ongoing development of the SF-26 as they aim to transform early potential into a competitive package for his debut season with the Scuderia.