During day four of Formula 1’s Barcelona Shakedown, Lewis Hamilton took the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26 for the first dry laps after earlier rain impacted the week’s testing schedule. Ferrari had skipped the first and third days of testing, with Hamilton driving in the morning session and Charles Leclerc handling the afternoon runs. A video posted on social media captured Hamilton spinning at turn 10’s exit while approaching the kink at turn 11, completing a sharp 360-degree spin but managing to continue without incident.
Previous Incidents and Fans React to Hamilton’s Spin
This was not the only moment of difficulty Hamilton faced during testing; earlier, in wet conditions, he had run off-track into the gravel before recovering. Although no damage occurred from the recent spin, many Formula 1 fans found the incident odd. Some observers pointed out that it looked like it happened during an installation lap, with cold tires and low track temperature, around 12 degrees Celsius, potentially contributing. Others expressed confusion, noting the spin was strange because Hamilton was not driving at high speed at the time. The consensus among fans was that the incident was unusual and baffling.
Theories on What Caused Hamilton’s Low-Speed Spin
Some fans speculated on a mechanical failure, possibly of a new part introduced for the 2026 season. One suggested it looked like a sudden loss of grip, with active aerodynamics possibly malfunctioning. Given that spins at slow speed in a straight line are rare in F1, this led to additional speculation about possible technical issues affecting the Ferrari. One quote from social media captured the confusion succinctly:
“That looks super weird from this distance,”
followed by
“Like all grip just disappeared. Active aero going awry maybe?”
Other Drivers’ Challenges and Overall Test Impressions
Hamilton was not the only notable driver to experience errors during this private pre-season test. On day two, Max Verstappen caused a brief red flag after running off track and kicking gravel onto the circuit. The limited public footage from these sessions means detailed, close-up replays are scarce, and Ferrari may opt not to address the incident officially. Despite the spin, Hamilton appeared upbeat after covering significant mileage, noting that porpoising—a bouncing effect he disliked in the previous ground-effect cars—did not seem to affect the new Ferrari.
The Role of Hamilton’s Feedback and Expectations for Ferrari’s 2026 Performance
Italian media reports suggest that Ferrari’s development of the SF-26 has benefited from Hamilton’s input, implying he should feel more comfortable behind the wheel this year compared to last season’s SF-25. With Mercedes’ drivers, including Russell and Antonelli, showing strong pace earlier in the week, the dynamics of the 2026 season already appear competitive. Hamilton’s ongoing adaptation and refinement with Ferrari will be closely observed as the year progresses.
