Hamilton's First Ferrari Impressions and Red Bull's Radical Design Headline Barcelona Test

Lewis Hamilton expressed initial optimism after his first laps in Ferrari's 2026 car, while Red Bull's absence from the track unveiled a radical aerodynamic design philosophy. Meanwhile, Mercedes showcased formidable reliability, and reigning champion Lando Norris grappled with the new pressure of carrying the number one.

Why it matters:

The first pre-season test in Barcelona offers the initial glimpse into each team's winter progress and sets early narratives. Hamilton's seamless transition to Ferrari, Red Bull's continued aggressive innovation, and Mercedes' operational strength are key indicators for the upcoming season's competitive hierarchy.

The details:

• Hamilton's Ferrari Debut: The seven-time champion completed 127 laps in the SF-26, reporting a positive first feeling with the car and a smooth working relationship with the team, calling it a "great start" to their partnership.
• Red Bull's Radical Approach: With the RB22 absent from Wednesday's running, observers got a clear look at its extreme aerodynamic concept, featuring notably slim sidepods and a highly packaged rear, signaling another boundary-pushing design from Adrian Newey's department.
• Mercedes' Mileage Marathon: George Russell topped the timesheets but dismissed its significance, focusing instead on the team's staggering reliability. He and rookie Kimi Antonelli combined for over 170 laps, with the W17 showing no major issues.
• Norris's Champion Status: The McLaren driver admitted to feeling the pressure of returning as the defending world champion, describing the sight of the number one on his car as "surreal" and acknowledging the increased expectations.
• Williams' Painful Choice: Team Principal James Vowles revealed Williams had a car ready for Barcelona but made an "incredibly painful" strategic decision to skip the test, opting to focus its limited resources differently.
• Red Bull's PU Tension: Team Principal Laurent Mekies admitted to feeling "tension" before the first fire-up of Red Bull's new in-house power unit, a critical milestone for the team's long-term independence.

What's next:

The data and impressions gathered in Barcelona will now be analyzed intensely as teams head into the final pre-season test. The focus shifts to understanding true performance windows, refining car balance, and preparing for the season opener. All eyes will be on whether Hamilton's early Ferrari comfort translates to pace, if Red Bull's radical design delivers, and how Mercedes and McLaren build from their solid starts.