{"id":429023,"date":"2026-01-23T23:16:13","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:16:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/429023\/"},"modified":"2026-01-23T23:16:13","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T23:16:13","slug":"for-lewis-hamilton-the-sf-26-f1-race-car-is-a-step-on-ferraris-long-journey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/429023\/","title":{"rendered":"For Lewis Hamilton, the SF-26 F1 Race Car Is a Step on Ferrari\u2019s ‘Long Journey’"},"content":{"rendered":"

The track baptism of any new Ferrari Formula 1 car is always something special, especially as the usual protocol is to roll out on home ground at Fiorano, where the tifosi line the fences to get a glimpse of the action. Friday morning saw the first run of the SF-26, though it was a short one\u2014a total of just 15 kilometers, under the FIA rules that govern a demonstration day. Even at Fiorano, that\u2019s not very many laps, but it was nevertheless a chance for some very basic systems checking with the new power unit\u2014which had already been tried on track by customer team Cadillac\u2014and for drivers Lewis Hamilton<\/a> and Charles Leclerc to get a feel for cockpit comfort, seating position, and the like.<\/p>\n

Slow-and-tight Fiorano doesn\u2019t really allow for a proper evaluation of an F1 car, and wet conditions and the limited mileage meant that very little was learned. However, everything worked as it should, and all went smoothly. The real focus is on Barcelona, where from Tuesday, Hamilton and Leclerc will share three days of intensive running.<\/p>\n

\"ferrari<\/p>\n

SCUDERIA FERRARI<\/p>\n

\u201cNext week, it’s a whole discovery period, where we really have to get as many laps as possible,\u201d Hamilton said after sampling the car. \u201cWe have to learn so much. And whilst it seems we have more testing [under the 2026 rules], it’s still so compact. It’s still only three more days than normal. And we have to compact so much in those nine days that we have. But yeah, I’m excited to get to Barcelona. The weather should be pretty good in Barcelona.\u201d<\/p>\n

To say there’s a lot riding on this car would be an understatement. Hamilton\u2019s first season at Maranello in 2025 was a massive disappointment, not for least the man himself. Even team veteran Leclerc didn\u2019t manage to win a race, although he did at least earn some podium finishes. Ferrari slipped to a fourth in the World Championship.<\/p>\n

The drivers were left frustrated by a lack of development, a result of a clear decision to make an early switch to developing the 2026 car. It remains to be seen if that sacrifice will pay off. If it doesn\u2019t, the pressure will quickly pile on to team boss Fred Vasseur, the man who ultimately convinced Hamilton to come on board.<\/p>\n

The Brit was clearly not happy by the end of last year, even questioning his own ability as he struggled with a car that he never really came to terms with. The difference this time is that he\u2019s had 12 months to put his views forward, and try to ensure the new model plays to his strengths and suits his driving style. He\u2019s also much more familiar with the Ferrari environment, and having his former Mercedes colleague Loic Serra as technical director and leader of the 2026 project can only help.<\/p>\n

\"ferrari<\/p>\n

Ferrari<\/p>\n

After taking time away and switching off over the Christmas break, Hamilton appears to have come back raring to go. \u201cI can’t really find words to express my excitement, honestly,\u201d he said after today\u2019s brief run. \u201cEven last night I couldn’t sleep that much, because I knew today was going to be the day. The past days have been so exciting to see the car come together\u2014to be in the garage and see just all the hard work everyone’s done, and [that] I’m the first one that gets to drive the car\u2014is such a privilege and an honor.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ferrari has gone a little retro with the livery of the SF-26, which has echoes of the cars driven by Hamilton\u2019s late friend and mentor Niki Lauda<\/a> in the mid-Seventies. Perhaps that\u2019s a good omen; it certainly added to the emotion around Friday\u2019s return to the track.<\/p>\n

\u201cI’m not surrounded by red anymore,\u201d Hamilton said. \u201cIt’s white, which is a different feeling. Obviously, I always dreamed of being in a red cockpit! The car looks great. And then the [garage] door opening and heading down to Turn 1, the first time you get to Turn 1, you see the tifosi, it’s a really, really emotional experience, and it feels brand new. Feels like just such a new beginning.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"ferrari<\/p>\n

Ferrari<\/p>\n

The seven-time World Championship winner may only have done a couple of laps, but he tried to take as much from them as he could. \u201cImmediately, you’re trying to get a feel,\u201d he said. \u201cJust feel anything, feeling through your body, through the vibrations of the seat and the suspension. You’re trying to pick up all these little bits of information in the little time that you have. And then just to be at Fiorano<\/a>, to be at Ferrari, to be here, to know that this is the start of a long journey\u2014but one that I know just feels right.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hamilton has been buoyed by an optimistic feeling in the camp after last year\u2019s struggles. He clearly believes that the right calls have been made in preparation for 2026. \u201cI think the team is in the best place that it’s been,\u201d he said. \u201cI think in the time that I’ve been here, and to see everyone so motivated and driven, I think we’re really on it. We’ve got a lot of work to do to really make sure we do all our due diligence, and we really understand this car, and we really like have to be quick to react, be very dynamic. But I feel like all hands are on deck, so I’m sure we can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

Hamilton has always drawn energy from his fans, and that\u2019s taken on an extra dimension at Ferrari. Despite his difficult 2025 season, he\u2019s still thriving on that support, and everything that comes with driving for the Scuderia.<\/p>\n

\"ferrari<\/p>\n

Ferrari<\/p>\n

\u201cI’ve been doing this a long time, but I love what I do more than anything, and I love this team,\u201d he said. \u201cI really, really, really love this team. I love the fans that we have. And to still be able to do this\u2014it’s such a privilege for me to be able to continue to do what I feel like I was born to do in my life. I’m just excited to take the journey with everyone here. Everyone arrives with good energy, and it’s just an emotional journey. We’re sharing this life together, this moment in life together … it’s very unique and empowering, and beyond special.\u201d<\/p>\n

Will he still be smiling this time next week, after the first three days of running alongside the competition give us a taste of the pecking order? It’ll be fascinating to find out.<\/p>\n

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