Hamilton hints at 2026 Ferrari F1 car strengths

Lewis Hamilton has suggested the new 2026 Formula 1 car generation plays more to his natural driving style, offering a glimmer of hope after a difficult debut season with Ferrari. The seven-time champion topped the timesheets in Barcelona testing, describing the new cars as more enjoyable and 'snappy,' traits that align with his classic approach.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's struggles in 2025, failing to secure a single podium, were partly attributed to a mismatch with the previous generation of 'ground effect' cars. His initial positive feedback on the 2026-spec machinery indicates Ferrari may have a car that better suits his strengths, which is critical for both his personal comeback and the team's ambition to return to the front of the grid.

The details:

• Testing Performance: Hamilton set the fastest time of the Barcelona shakedown with a 1:16.348 on the final day, building momentum for the new season.
• Driving Style Alignment: The 2022-2025 cars required a smooth, rolling 'U-ing' corner entry. Hamilton's preferred style is a sharper, later-braking 'V-ing' technique, which the new cars seem to better accommodate.
• Car Characteristics: Hamilton described the 2026 car as having "a lot less downforce," being "oversteery, snappy and sliding, but it is easier to catch," and ultimately "more enjoyable" to drive.
• Team Environment: He noted a "winning mentality in every single person in the team, more than ever," highlighting a positive shift within Ferrari after a tough year.
• Valuable Wet Running: An unusually wet first day of testing provided crucial data, as Hamilton's first wet run in the 2025 Ferrari didn't come until the first race weekend.

What's next:

The positive first impressions are just the starting point. The real test will be whether Ferrari can develop this promising base into a consistently competitive package throughout the season. Hamilton and the team will now analyze the data from Barcelona, focusing on the improvements needed to translate testing pace into race-winning performance when the season begins.