P1racenews AI automatic summary:
Lewis Hamilton hails Ferrari’s “amazing” first F1 test of 2026.
Lewis Hamilton thinks Ferrari has had a more promising start to F1 pre-season testing this year compared to last year. Hamilton, a seven-time world champion, completed his first dry-weather laps in Ferrari’s new SF-26 challenger, logging 85 laps and recovering from a minor spin. Despite challenging wet conditions earlier in the week, Ferrari has shown strong mileage and reliability in the five-day private shakedown in Barcelona. Hamilton praised the team’s reliability and expressed hope for continued progress, especially as the new rules bring a different dynamic. He emphasized the importance of gathering data and knowledge on the engine, car, and aero side, working closely with teammate Charles Leclerc to set plans for the final day of testing. Ferrari’s testing performance has been solid, with Leclerc setting a competitive lap time on soft tires, matching Mercedes driver George Russell’s pace.
