P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Ferrari has downplayed Lewis Hamilton’s lack of running on Thursday.
Ferrari has not disclosed much information about the issue that caused Lewis Hamilton’s problematic running on the second to last day of 2026 Formula 1 pre-season testing. Hamilton was only able to log in five laps before an unidentified problem forced him back to the garage, resulting in the loss of nearly three hours of track time during Thursday morning’s session. Despite the setback, Hamilton managed to return before the lunch break to participate in the FIA’s practice start procedure, showcasing a strong launch that enabled him to overtake George Russell, his former Mercedes teammate. Ferrari’s team principal, Fred Vasseur, downplayed the incident, emphasizing the team’s overall strong reliability and performance during pre-season testing. Vasseur mentioned that although they encountered a minor setback that halted the car for three hours, they are also preparing parts for the upcoming race in Melbourne and remain pleased with the reliability displayed thus far. Additionally, Ferrari raised eyebrows on Thursday with an innovative ‘upside down’ rear wing on Hamilton’s SF-26, a move that has intrigued technical experts due to potential aerodynamic advantages it may offer. Despite the initial hiccup, Hamilton is set to finish the remainder of Thursday’s test to wrap up his pre-season testing program, with teammate Charles Leclerc slated to take over for the final day of running on Friday.
