A new chapter in Formula 1 history has officially begun.

On a rain-soaked morning in Barcelona, the image fans had imagined for years finally became real: Lewis Hamilton climbed into a Ferrari and completed his first full test in the Ferrari SF-26, marking the most anticipated driver-team partnership of the modern era.

Under heavy clouds at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya, Hamilton’s debut wasn’t a glamorous shakedown—it was a demanding baptism under the new 2026 regulations, complicated further by persistent rain.

Yet when the seven-time world champion finally spoke, his message was calm, confident… and quietly ominous for Ferrari’s rivals.

🌧️ A Difficult Day — And a Strong First Verdict

Rain arrived around 10:30 a.m., disrupting planned run programs and leaving the track slick for most of the session. For a driver adapting to a brand-new car, new systems, and a new team, wet conditions are the last thing you want.

Still, Hamilton walked away encouraged.

“It was very challenging today,” he admitted. “We had a little bit of dry running, but then it was wet all afternoon. Figuring out how to get the tyres working was really productive.”

Despite the conditions—and a red flag interruption—Ferrari completed around 120 laps, nearly two race distances.

“Given it’s in the wet and we had a red flag, that’s pretty solid,” Hamilton said. “I’m really proud of everyone back at the factory. We got a lot of valuable information today.”

In an era defined by radical regulation changes, reliability alone sends a message.

⚙️ Learning the SF-26 — And the 2026 Challenge

The 2026 rules represent one of the biggest technical resets in F1 history: simplified engines, far greater electrical output, active aerodynamics, and a completely new energy management philosophy.

Hamilton acknowledged the learning curve.

“Understanding the balance, the new SM system, and how to feel it—that’s still coming,” he explained. “I haven’t driven the car properly in the dry yet, so I don’t have the full picture.”

Energy deployment will be decisive in 2026, with drivers managing battery usage corner by corner.

“Understanding how to deploy the power, recharge, and manage energy through the lap will be crucial,” Hamilton added. “But we’ve done a huge amount of simulator work. It’s not completely new.”

❤️ Life in Red: An Emotional Shift

Beyond lap times and telemetry, Hamilton spoke openly about the emotional weight of joining Ferrari after more than a decade with Mercedes.

“I wake up here, see the Ferrari sign every day—it’s awesome,” he said. “This period is special. You see the work of over a thousand people coming together.”

He revealed he has been involved in the SF-26 project for eight to ten months, indicating deep integration long before the public debut.

This isn’t a short-term experiment. It’s a full commitment.

🚨 No Major Issues — A Quiet Warning Shot

Perhaps the most significant takeaway wasn’t speed—but the absence of problems.

“It could have been so much worse with such a big regulation change,” Hamilton admitted. “We had no major issues. Just small things we’re working to improve.”

In pre-season testing, especially under new rules, teams expect chaos. Ferrari got clarity instead.

That means development can focus on performance—not survival.

☀️ What Comes Next

Hamilton is clear about what he wants now: dry conditions.

“I’m really hoping to experience the car in the dry,” he said. “That’s when we can truly optimize it.”

If the weather improves, the paddock will finally see what the SF-26 can really do.

But already, Ferrari has sent a powerful early signal:
the car works, the driver is ready, and the partnership is very real.

The 2026 season is still far away—but psychologically, the battle has already begun on a wet day in Spain.