Formula 1
Lewis Hamilton Tops Barcelona F1 Testing as Ferrari Show Early 2026 Promise
Lewis Hamilton ended Formula One’s private Barcelona test on a high, setting the fastest time of the week and giving Ferrari a much-needed confidence boost ahead of the 2026 season. The seven-time world champion clocked a 1:16.348 on the final day, narrowly edging out George Russell’s benchmark for Mercedes set earlier in the week.
While early testing times always come with caveats, Lewis Hamilton’s late-session lap ensured Ferrari left Spain on an upbeat note after a challenging 2025 campaign that was plagued by reliability issues and a lack of podium finishes.
Ferrari Focus on Reliability and Mileage
Beyond headline lap times, Ferrari’s biggest positive was consistency. Lewis Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc combined for 145 laps on Friday, underlining a clear emphasis on reliability and data gathering under the sport’s new aerodynamic and engine regulations.
That reliability focus extended to Ferrari-powered Haas, which recorded the single highest lap count of the entire test. Ollie Bearman and Esteban Ocon completed an impressive 195 laps across the day, equivalent to more than three race distances at the Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya.
With last season’s mechanical setbacks still fresh, Ferrari’s smooth running will be viewed internally as just as important as topping the timing sheets.
McLaren and Mercedes in the Mix
Reigning world champions McLaren also emerged from Barcelona in encouraging shape. Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri logged a combined 166 laps and posted times within a quarter of a second of Lewis Hamilton’s fastest effort, suggesting the team remains firmly in contention.
Mercedes, meanwhile, completed their allotted test days earlier in the week and did not run on Friday. Despite that, the team has quietly left Spain as an early preseason favorite after quickly finding consistency and completing significant mileage. Their ability to settle into the new regulations has not gone unnoticed across the paddock.
View this post on Instagram
A Confidence Reset for Hamilton and Leclerc
For Ferrari, 2026 represents more than just a new season—it’s a reset. Though it’s too early, it still reflects the importance of the team listening to Hamilton and Leclerc after both endured a winless 2025. Lewis Hamilton, in particular, struggled for confidence last year, with uncharacteristic spins raising concerns about car balance and driver comfort.
Ferrari has already made behind-the-scenes changes, including replacing Hamilton’s race engineer, as it attempts to build a car better suited to its star drivers’ needs.
Eyes Turn to Bahrain and Melbourne
With reliability fears largely unfounded across the grid, attention now shifts to two official preseason tests in Bahrain next month. Those sessions will offer clearer insight into true performance before the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8.
For now, Ferrari and Hamilton can take heart from Barcelona. It may only be testing, but topping the timesheets is a statement—and one that hints Ferrari cannot afford excuses in 2026.
