Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari SF-26 Shows Promise in Bahrain Testing | F1 News

Sakhir, Bahrain – Saturday, February 14, 2026 – Lewis Hamilton and Ferrari are making measured progress during pre-season testing at the Bahrain International Circuit, with the seven-time world champion reporting “good discoveries” regarding the performance of the SF-26. While acknowledging the complexity of the current generation of Formula 1 cars, Hamilton expressed optimism following a productive first week of on-track running.

Hamilton completed 190 laps over a day-and-a-half of testing, finishing third fastest overall and completing a full race simulation on Friday afternoon. Teammate Charles Leclerc led all drivers in laps completed, racking up an impressive 218 laps, solidifying Ferrari’s position among the leading teams in the early stages of the season.

A key focus for the team has been understanding the nuances of the new Pirelli tires, a challenge facing all teams as the sport enters a new regulatory cycle. Hamilton specifically highlighted a “key breakthrough” in this area, suggesting that Ferrari is gaining valuable insight into optimizing tire performance. “It’s been a positive week ” Hamilton said. “We completed a lot of laps and went through the full programme, which allowed us to gather plenty of useful data and learn more about the car.”

The SF-26, while generally performing well, presents the typical challenges of a complex modern F1 machine. Hamilton noted the importance of finding the “right operating window, especially with the tyres,” a sentiment echoed throughout the paddock as teams grapple with the intricacies of the 2026 regulations. The team is using the testing period to correlate data gathered on track with simulations performed back at the Maranello factory.

“We’ve made some good discoveries and also identified areas where You can improve,” Hamilton continued. “We still have another test ahead of us, which will be important to build on what we’ve learned and continue making progress.”

Hamilton’s initial impressions of the SF-26, following a shakedown in Barcelona, were further refined during the Bahrain test. He completed 52 laps on the first day of testing, finishing approximately one second off the pace set by Max Verstappen. However, both Hamilton and the team emphasized that lap times during pre-season testing are not necessarily indicative of true performance, as teams experiment with varying configurations, fuel loads and engine mappings.

The focus remains on data acquisition and validation. Hamilton noted the importance of learning as much as possible during these early stages, expressing gratitude for the opportunity to contribute to the development of the car. “I’m happy to see the team very focused,” he said. “We ran a lot in Barcelona and without particular issues, which is positive. I’ve already said it and I repeat it, I’m grateful to be part of the development of this car and to be able to contribute.”

While Hamilton’s final session on Friday was briefly interrupted by a fuel-related issue that brought out a red flag, the incident did not overshadow the overall positive progress made by the team. The issue occurred with just over ten minutes remaining in the afternoon session, after Hamilton had already completed a substantial 150 laps.

The broader picture emerging from the Bahrain test suggests a competitive field, with Mercedes also demonstrating strong pace, setting the fastest times of the week. George Russell and Kimi Antonelli topped the timesheets for the Silver Arrows, though Russell cautioned about the potential of Red Bull, acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the pecking order. Hamilton’s third-place time of 1:34.209 underscored Ferrari’s presence at the front of the grid.

The second and final pre-season test, scheduled to begin on Wednesday, February 18th, will be crucial for Ferrari and all teams as they continue to refine their cars and prepare for the season-opening Bahrain Grand Prix on February 28th. The remaining test days will provide an opportunity to build upon the “good discoveries” made during the first week and address any remaining areas for improvement, particularly in maximizing the performance of the new Pirelli tires.

The early signs are encouraging for Hamilton and Ferrari, but the true test will come when the lights go out at the Bahrain International Circuit and the competitive intensity of the 2026 Formula 1 season begins in earnest.