During Ferrari’s shakedown testing in Barcelona on Thursday, Lewis Hamilton expressed unexpected optimism about the SF26’s reliability, despite encountering several difficulties on the track. The seven-time Formula 1 world champion completed 85 laps that morning, praising the car’s durability even though he experienced handling issues, including a spin through Turn 10. His observations came amid the team’s ongoing efforts to prepare for the 2026 season under a new set of regulations.
Hamilton faced moments of oversteer and went off track, with a notable 360-degree spin that occurred at less than full racing speed. This incident was largely attributed to the low temperatures affecting track grip on the day.
Hamilton’s Comments Highlight Improved Reliability Compared to Last Year
In a conversation with Sky Sports after testing, Hamilton emphasized how far the car had come in terms of reliability. He stated,
“I don’t know, when you come to the test, you always want to get a lot of mileage. Today, I did 85 laps in the morning, which is amazing, and that’s really down to all the people back at the factory who have done such a great job to make sure that the car, so far, is really reliable.”
He further reassured fans by comparing this year’s initial testing positively against last year’s, noting the progress made despite the introduction of entirely new technical rules.
“Last year, we had a worse start to testing. So this is actually, considering it’s a completely new band of rules, it’s better than what we’ve experienced in the pas. So I’m really hopeful that continues,” the 40-year-old Briton added.
Ferrari’s early test days saw Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc complete a combined total of 123 laps on Day 2, before the team paused for Day 3 and resumed on Thursday.
Challenges Faced on Ferrari’s Initial Testing Day
Ferrari’s 2026 campaign began on the second day of the five-day Barcelona shakedown, but the start was hindered by unexpected rain. Charles Leclerc managed only 12 laps on medium tires before the wet conditions forced the team to switch to intermediates and wets, limiting dry running time.
Lewis Hamilton was unable to clock laps in dry conditions that day, making the session particularly difficult for him.
“Very challenging today, because it started raining at 10.30 a.m. Obviously, Charles had a little bit of dry running, then it’s been wet all afternoon. Figuring out how to get the tyres working was really productive. I think we got 120 laps or something like that.”
“Given it’s in the wet conditions and we had a red flag, I think that’s pretty solid, so I’m really proud of everyone back at the factory for getting the car to this point. We got a lot of information on the car today. We definitely need to keep it up, lots and lots to do, but a good first day,” he added.
Implications of Ferrari’s Engine Reliability in 2026
The apparent robustness of Ferrari’s power unit has raised eyebrows within the F1 community. Customer teams including Haas and Cadillac F1, which also use Ferrari’s engines, have reportedly encountered no significant reliability issues. This stands in contrast to common concerns around the transition to new regulations, suggesting Ferrari has made substantial progress in engine development and durability.
Hamilton’s positive remarks and the solid mileage completed during testing could bode well for Ferrari as they continue to develop the SF26 ahead of the 2026 season. The team’s ability to avoid major setbacks during these initial runs is critical, as preparation under new regulations significantly impacts competitiveness once official races begin.
Lewis Hamilton’s 360 spin 👀
— La Gazzetta Ferrari (@GazzettaFerrari) January 29, 2026
