Hamilton Tops Final Day of 2026 Barcelona Pre-Season Test for Ferrari

Lewis Hamilton set the fastest lap of the entire 2026 pre-season test on the final afternoon in Barcelona, topping the timesheets for Ferrari ahead of McLaren's Lando Norris. The five-day private test at the Circuit de Catalunya concluded with 12 drivers completing their programs, providing crucial data ahead of the new season.

Why it matters:

Pre-season testing times are always heavily caveated due to unknown fuel loads and run plans, but the final pecking order offers the first tangible glimpse of the competitive landscape. A strong showing from Ferrari with both cars near the top, coupled with Red Bull's lower position, will fuel speculation about a potential shift in the championship battle as the new technical era progresses.

The details:

The final day was split into sessions, with Charles Leclerc setting the morning benchmark before his new teammate Hamilton usurped him in the afternoon. Hamilton's best time of 1:16.348 was two-tenths clear of Norris in the McLaren. Leclerc's morning effort was good enough for third overall on the day.

• Ferrari's Pace: The SF-26 showed strong one-lap speed with both drivers, though their lap counts (63 for Hamilton, 78 for Leclerc) were modest compared to others.
• McLaren's Consistency: Norris and Oscar Piastri (4th) completed high lap counts (83 and 80 respectively) with competitive times, suggesting a reliable and fast package.
• Red Bull's Program: Max Verstappen finished fifth, over a second off Hamilton's pace, but completed a mammoth 118 laps—the most of any driver—indicating a focus on long-run data and reliability.
• High Mileage: Alpine's Pierre Gasly ran 160 laps, demonstrating impressive reliability from the Renault power unit, while the new Audi and Cadillac teams continued their extensive learning programs.

What's next:

The test results provide teams with a foundation, but the true picture will only emerge at the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix. All eyes will be on whether Ferrari can translate this testing form into a genuine race-winning challenge and if Red Bull's quieter pace was merely a reflection of a different run plan. The data gathered here will trigger final upgrades and setup decisions before the cars are shipped to the Middle East.