A dramatic moment unfolded on Day 4 of the Barcelona shakedown, as Lewis Hamilton suffered a spin while driving Ferrari’s brand-new Ferrari SF-26.
Footage circulating on social media shows Hamilton losing the rear of the car at the exit of Turn 10, sending the Ferrari into a full 360-degree spin before he was able to safely recover. An oncoming car slowed immediately, avoiding any further incident.
While the moment looked alarming on video, it ultimately passed without damage.
A Glimpse of the 2026 Learning Curve
The incident came during the first unofficial on-track running of F1 2026 at the Circuit de Barcelona‑Catalunya, where teams are getting their first real taste of the sport’s radically revised regulations.
With smaller, lighter cars and an all-new 50-50 electric and biofuel power unit, drivers are having to completely recalibrate their driving style. Rear instability, especially on corner exits, is widely expected during this transitional phase.
Hamilton’s spin was relatively slow in nature, and the following car had ample time to react — a reminder that these early tests are about learning, not perfection.
Ferrari Still on Track
Despite the incident, Ferrari’s Barcelona shakedown has been largely trouble-free so far. Media access has been restricted, but unofficial timing and lap data suggest solid mileage.
Hamilton reportedly completed 53 laps during his earlier running, while teammate Charles Leclerc logged 65 laps in a separate session.
After his first outing in the SF-26, Hamilton struck an optimistic tone, saying Ferrari needed “more days like this” and describing the test as “really productive.”
Day 4 marks Ferrari’s second permitted day of running, with the team also scheduled to appear on the final day of the shakedown.
A Warning, Not a Crisis
In isolation, the spin means very little. But as F1 enters a completely new technical era, moments like this underline just how unforgiving the 2026 cars may be — even for a seven-time world champion.
If anything, it’s a reminder that no team has truly mastered the new formula yet.
And that’s exactly why the 2026 season is already so intriguing.