Hamilton's Barcelona P1 time highlights Ferrari's mixed start amid 'handful' car talk

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest unofficial time for Ferrari on the final day of pre-season testing in Barcelona, but rival team sources suggest the new SF-26 remains a "handful" to drive. This mixed picture places Ferrari's early form in question, with analysts cautiously slotting them behind Mercedes, McLaren, and Red Bull in the initial 2026 pecking order.

Why it matters:

Hamilton's positive demeanor and pace are a stark contrast to his challenging first season with the Scuderia in 2025, offering hope to the Tifosi. However, if the car's reported difficult handling characteristics are genuine, it could undermine the team's ambition to return to consistent title contention and validate concerns about the development direction of Project 678.

The details:

• Hamilton's late 1:16.348 lap on Day 5 edged out George Russell's benchmark in the Mercedes W17 by a tenth, giving Ferrari the unofficial P1.
• Sky F1's Craig Slater reported that "several individuals from different teams" described the Ferrari as looking "quite a handful" on track, indicating potential instability or a tricky balance.
• Despite the headline time, Slater and colleague Ted Kravitz placed Mercedes at the top of their early order, followed closely by Red Bull and McLaren, with Ferrari fourth.
• Former F1 strategist Bernie Collins offered a counterpoint, stating that Hamilton's public positivity and the lap time itself are "a good sign" for the team's winter progress.
• Ferrari completed 442 laps over the five-day test, second only to Mercedes in total mileage, suggesting solid reliability in this initial phase.

What's next:

The true competitive picture will begin to crystallize at the official pre-season tests in Bahrain.

• The first test runs from February 11-13, followed immediately by a second session from February 18-20.
• Teams will focus on long-run performance and race simulations, which will provide a much clearer indicator of true pace and tire degradation than single-lap speed.
• All eyes will be on whether Ferrari can translate Hamilton's promising one-lap speed into a consistent and drivable race package, or if the "handful" comments point to a fundamental flaw that needs urgent correction before the season opener.