At the Bahrain International Circuit in Sakhir on February 18, 2026, Lewis Hamilton expressed a strong connection with Ferrari’s latest car, the SF-26, during the second pre-season test. The seven-time world champion highlighted that the vehicle carries elements of his own influence, marking a fresh start ahead of the new Formula One season. Hamilton’s familiarity with the car comes after involvement in its development on simulators over the past ten months, signaling a marked shift following a difficult 2025 campaign.
Test Day Performance and Team Comparison
Hamilton completed 44 laps, finishing seventh-fastest on the timing sheets, while his Ferrari teammate Charles Leclerc recorded 70 laps and secured third place, outpacing Hamilton by 0.6 seconds. Despite Hamilton’s lower position compared to Leclerc, he appeared optimistic about the SF-26’s potential and his own preparation for the upcoming season.
Reflection on Previous Season and Current Mindset
After a challenging debut year with Ferrari in 2025—during which the British driver did not secure a single podium—Hamilton discussed his off-season efforts to rebuild and refocus. He noted the importance of improving both mentally and physically to approach the new campaign with renewed confidence and determination.
“Last year we were locked into a car that ultimately I inherited,”
Hamilton remarked.
“This is a car that I’ve been able to be a part of developing on the simulator for the last 10 months.”
“And so a bit of my DNA is within it. I’m more connected to this one, for sure.”
“I really felt like I spent a lot of time rebuilding over this winter, refocusing, really getting my body and my mind to a much better place,”
the 41-year-old said.
“I generally feel, personally, in the best place that I’ve been in a long, long time.”
“And then the car, we’ve started off quite well so far. It’s an exciting time with this new generation of car.”
Impact of New Regulations on the 2026 Season
The 2026 Formula One season begins under sweeping technical changes affecting car designs, including the chassis and hybrid power units, which combine 50% thermal and 50% electric components. All teams have had to adapt to these new rules, but the top four constructors from last year—McLaren, Mercedes, Red Bull, and Ferrari—seem to hold an advantage as testing progresses.
The primary goal during these tests is to log extensive mileage to analyze the reliability and performance of the new hybrid systems and to understand how the updated cars handle on track before the season opener in Melbourne on March 8.
Contrast with Rival Teams and Drivers
While Hamilton expresses a bond with Ferrari’s new car, his longtime rival Max Verstappen has voiced concerns about his Red Bull without sharing the same enthusiasm. The Dutch driver, a four-time former world champion, described the new 2026 Red Bull as difficult to drive and likened it to “Formula E on steroids,” signaling differing experiences among top drivers with the new generation of Formula One cars.
