Seven-time Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton has delivered his verdict on what he called an "intense" first test session with Ferrari in Barcelona, marking a crucial early step ahead of the 2026 season. The British driver took to the cockpit of the new SF-26 car on Tuesday afternoon, navigating challenging wet conditions at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya to complete 57 laps as part of Ferrari's comprehensive testing programme.
Mixed Weather Conditions Challenge Hamilton's Debut Ferrari Run
Hamilton admitted that the day presented significant challenges due to the unpredictable Barcelona weather, with rain falling during his afternoon session. Despite these less-than-ideal conditions, the veteran driver managed to complete valuable mileage in the car, contributing to Ferrari's total of 123 laps for the day when combined with teammate Charles Leclerc's morning running.
"It was an intense but productive first day, especially with the mixed weather conditions," Hamilton revealed after the session. "We managed to get good mileage on the car and gather a lot of useful information, which is important with such a big regulation change."
Optimistic Mood Despite Ferrari's Recent Struggles
The testing session comes at a critical juncture for Ferrari, who failed to win a single grand prix during the previous season. Hamilton himself endured a challenging debut year with the Scuderia, failing to secure a podium finish throughout the campaign. However, with the first race of the 2026 season in Australia now just five weeks away, the British driver appeared in positive spirits following his Barcelona outing.
"There were no major issues and that gives us a solid foundation to keep learning and building over the next few days," Hamilton added, suggesting that the team had avoided significant technical problems during the initial shakedown.
Leclerc Sets Pace as Ferrari Focuses on Learning
Charles Leclerc, who drove the SF-26 during the morning session in drier conditions, set the fastest time among the Ferrari drivers with a lap of 1:20.844. This was nevertheless over a second slower than the day's quickest time, set by reigning champion Max Verstappen in the Red Bull.
"It was good to be back in the car and to start learning a completely new package," Leclerc commented. "Today was about system checks and understanding how everything works, rather than performance, especially with the mixed conditions."
Engineering Team Cautious About Early Performance Judgements
Ferrari's head of track engineering, Matteo Togninalli, emphasised that it remains "still very early" to draw any definitive conclusions about the car's performance capabilities. The engineering team's primary focus appears to be on methodical data collection and system verification rather than outright speed at this preliminary stage.
"The focus now is on understanding the car," Togninalli explained. "Learning its behaviour and building knowledge step by step over the coming days, focusing on ourselves."
Red Bull Incident Highlights Testing Risks
The day's proceedings were not without incident elsewhere in the paddock, as Red Bull's Isack Hadjar collided with the barrier late in the session, bringing a dramatic conclusion to the day's running. This served as a reminder of the inherent risks involved in pre-season testing, even as teams gather crucial data ahead of the new campaign.
With Hamilton now having completed his first meaningful running in the 2026 Ferrari, attention turns to the remaining test days as the team continues to develop their understanding of the SF-26 package. The seven-time champion's positive assessment, despite the challenging conditions, suggests Ferrari may be building momentum as they seek to return to competitive form in the upcoming season.
