Lewis Hamilton Thrills Fans with Astonishing 85 Laps at Barcelona Pre-Season Test!
In a dazzling display of speed and stamina, Lewis Hamilton kicked off his Thursday morning at the Barcelona pre-season test with an impressive 85 laps in his Ferrari SF-26. The seven-time world champion couldn’t contain his excitement, deeming the mileage “amazing” as he took to the track under clear skies, a stark contrast to the rain-soaked conditions that plagued the previous day’s testing.
As Formula 1 gears up for a monumental 2026 technical overhaul, teams have just three days—January 26 to 30—to fine-tune their machines behind closed doors. Ferrari’s strategic approach has them running on a Tuesday-Thursday-Friday schedule, and Hamilton was eager to make the most of his time on the asphalt after a less-than-ideal start to the week.
With the SF-26 having only completed a short 15-kilometer shakedown at Fiorano prior to arriving in Spain, Hamilton was eager to assess the car’s performance. According to unofficial timing data from SoyMotor, Hamilton executed a phenomenal 87 laps, a feat he appreciated considering the “miserable wet weather” that had hampered the team’s initial efforts. His reaction to the team’s progress was telling. “Um, I don’t know,” he pondered when asked if Ferrari was meeting expectations. “Of course, we hoped that we could come and have… When you come to the test, you always want to get a lot of mileage. Like today, I did 85 laps in the morning, which is amazing. That’s really down to all the people at the factory who’ve done such a great job to make sure the car so far is really reliable.”
Reflecting on last year’s rocky start to testing, Hamilton noted, “This is better than we’ve experienced in the past. So I’m really hopeful that continues.” His confidence was evident as he delved into the technicalities of the morning session. “It was great to be able to get some running and understand the tyres. We did the C2 and the C1, so cold that the tyres are not really working so much, but we got through our programme and gained a bit of an understanding of where the car is at and where we need to improve.”
As the afternoon session unfolded, Charles Leclerc took over the SF-26, while Hamilton observed from the pit wall, strategizing for their upcoming runs. The two drivers are set to return to the track on Friday, armed with a busy agenda. “For us, it’s still about trying to get as much mileage and knowledge on this engine and on the car and the aero side,” Hamilton elaborated. “We went through a program this morning and found some learnings. Charles is doing a different set this afternoon, which is great.”
Hamilton emphasized the importance of collaboration, stating, “My role is to listen as much as possible. At the end of the day, we both come together and talk about our problems and the positives and the negatives. Then we’ll come up with a plan for what we want to tackle tomorrow as our last day.” With solid data already in hand, Hamilton is focused on ensuring their decisions are precise and effective as they prepare for the upcoming Bahrain Grand Prix.
With Hamilton’s fervor and Ferrari’s promising performance, the excitement surrounding this pre-season test continues to build. Fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this new chapter unfolds for the Scuderia as they aim to reclaim their place at the top of Formula 1. Stay tuned as Hamilton and his team gear up for an exhilarating season ahead!








