P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton all smiles as ‘winning mentality’ returns
“During F1’s Barcelona shakedown, Lewis Hamilton tested Ferrari’s new SF-26 car, signaling a potential comeback for the seven-time champion after a difficult 2025 season. Hamilton’s initial impressions were positive, with a focus on reliability, tires, and mileage rather than pure performance during the shakedown. Despite wet conditions limiting his track time on Tuesday, Hamilton completed a total of 142 laps across two days of testing.
Hamilton’s fastest unofficial lap time of 1:18.654 came during clear conditions on Thursday, where he completed 85 laps and praised Ferrari’s reliability. On Friday, Hamilton set the fastest time of the week with a lap of 1:16.348, showcasing promising performance potential. Hamilton’s demeanor throughout the testing days reflected optimism and satisfaction, hinting at a rejuvenated mindset for the upcoming season. Overall, Hamilton’s successful testing with Ferrari in Barcelona has sparked hope for his fans as he embarks on a new chapter with the team.”
