The dawn of a new era has officially arrived in Barcelona, and for Lewis Hamilton, the change feels like a breath of fresh air.
After grappling with the previous generation of ground-effect cars – at Mercedes and then last year with Ferrari – that often clashed with his signature driving style, the seven-time world champion looks revitalized.
Following a strong pre-season test with the Scuderia where he topped the Friday charts, the four-time world champion appears to have rediscovered the spark that makes him so formidable on track.
Rediscovering the Joy of Driving
For years, the technical demands of F1 machinery required a delicate, sometimes restrictive approach to braking and corner entry. However, the 2026 regulations seem to have handed the keys back to the drivers.
Hamilton was quick to praise the traits of his new SF-26 rancing horse, noting that the physical sensation behind the wheel has shifted toward a more traditional, thrilling experience.
“This car generation is actually a little bit more fun to drive,” he said. “It's oversteery and snappy and sliding. It's a little bit easier to catch and I would definitely say more enjoyable.”
This renewed sense of fun is backed by a palpable shift in the atmosphere at Maranello. Hamilton isn't just happy with the car; he is energized by the culture surrounding him.
“I really feel the winning mentality in every single person in the team, more than ever. So it's a positive,” he remarked.
The Race for Development
While the timesheets at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya showed Ferrari at the top, the team is staying grounded. Hamilton is acutely aware that while the car feels great, the journey to the front of the grid is a marathon, not a sprint.
With rivals like Mercedes, Red Bull, and Haas showing strong form, the 2026 season looks set to be an unpredictable see-saw of performance.
“We definitely have work to do to improve, of course, like everybody does,” he said. “But we've had great debriefs, everyone's really on it.”
©Ferrari
Hamilton emphasized that the true battle will be won in the factory over the coming months.
“We're under no illusions, we know we've got work to do,” he explained.
“Mercedes have done great running as well. I think Red Bull and Haas did some great running as well, so we don't really know where we are.
“But I think it's a solid first week and we can really build from here. So there may be some big leaps that we need to take.”
He added: “Development's going to be key, really just making sure we leave no stone unturned and we're just really clear and concise with our communication and the decisions we take.
“It's going to take all of us to be at our best. And I'm just seeing that everyone's really coming with new energy this year, which is great.”
Vasseur: Still a Long Way to Melbourne
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur shared the Briton’s optimistic but pragmatic outlook. For the Frenchman, the successful completion of the first test was a vital box to tick in the lead-up to the season opener in Melbourne.
©Ferrari
"It's a huge challenge for everybody, and the more mileage you are doing, the more you are learning, and this is good," Vasseur noted.
"But still a lot to do, it's still a long way, a long way before Melbourne and the season, but I think it was a first step, today was a very good one.
“It's an important milestone to be able to run, to put mileage in. I think we can do more, but at one stage you have to stop to refuel!"
That blend of urgency and patience defines Ferrari’s early 2026 outlook. The car is alive, the driver is inspired, and the team is energised – but the mountain ahead remains steep.
Still, for the first time in a while, Hamilton sounds like a man relishing the climb.
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