Lewis Hamilton said after driving Ferrari’s 2026 car for the first time that he is “very excited” about a “new beginning” for F1’s new rules era.
Hamilton returned to the track just 47 days after a difficult first season with the Scuderia in December, and together with teammate Charles Leclerc completed a few laps at Ferrari’s test track Fiorano on the launch day of the new SF-26.
And despite the expanded pre-season testing program required by the sport’s brand new challengers and the shortening of the length of drivers’ usual winter break, Hamilton said he feels refreshed and eager to get started in earnest.
“If you look at my interviews so far, I would never say I’m excited[about the test]. But I’m very excited and I think it’s safe to say that,” he told F1.
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Lewis Hamilton used F1’s new active aero system on his Ferrari as he drove the new 2026 car for the first time at Fiorano.
“I’m excited about the new beginning.
“I focused on resetting and getting some rest. Even though it was the shortest break I’ve ever had, it was exactly what I needed.”
“It’s about learning new patterns, undoing them, removing things that don’t serve you or don’t bring you the right energy, so you can show up in the right way.”
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Ferrari team boss Frédéric Vasseur said that amid the biggest regulation changes in a generation, “competition is about improving faster than others”.
Hamilton and Leclerc will now head to Spain for the 2026 F1 shakedown week, during which teams will have three out of five days to run their cars. It will be the first time each team gets a close look at what their rivals have developed for the start of the new ruleset, which features significant changes to chassis, aerodynamics, power units and fuel.
“I’m excited about the first test,” added Hamilton.
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Ferrari has announced a new vehicle, the SF-26, for the 2026 season.
“Obviously we can’t overdo it today, but Fiorano feels cool. But obviously from next week we’ll be stretching our legs and seeing what this new generation of cars has in store for us all.”
“Then you don’t know what other people have, what tricks they have or don’t have, what concepts they have, and so on.
“I think for us, we’re just keeping our heads down and focusing on our jobs. But the team feels refreshed and there’s a lot of work coming from so many departments here and it’s great to see.”
“So we have to take this energy one day at a time.”
On Friday morning, as Ferrari released the first images of the SF-26 to the world, the team simultaneously launched it into orbit as fans watched from outside the circuit permit.
“It’s very exciting to start the car and feel the vibrations of a new car through your body,” Hamilton said.
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Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton, who is aiming for a record eighth world title, has admitted that the new regulations introduced this season are challenging.
“Literally, when they open the (garage) door and you see the tifosi, it’s something I’ll never get used to and something I’ll never forget.
“But today is really about reconnecting with the team and reconnecting with the passion of everyone who follows this team. It’s also really a reminder and a reminder of why I love what I do and why I love this sport.”
Leclerc: “New cars are a big challenge for drivers”
Leclerc, who achieved seven Grand Prix podiums in 2025, making him the most successful Ferrari driver, says he is excited about the challenge the new car will bring.
“I think this is one of the biggest changes that has happened in the history of F1, so it’s particularly exciting,” he said.
“Since I came to F1 there have been big technical changes from 2021 to 2022, but this has nothing to do with that.
“We have to relearn most of the program, and we need to understand the system better to get the most out of it. So there are so many influences on the driver side as well, how we drive, how we manage races, etc., which makes it a big challenge, but that’s what excites me.”
Ferrari teammates Hamilton and Leclerc wave to Tifosi as they watch the match at Fiorano
“And after all the behind-the-scenes work, I really wanted to finally try it out and see how it felt. So it was very exciting.”
Ferrari team principal Frédéric Vasseur confirmed Friday’s run had gone to plan, but admitted the team had only basic goals for the occasion.
“Overall it went very well,” Vasseur told Sky Sports. “There were no major problems and that’s just what you get at launch.
“The goal this time is to collect data. We did five laps. It wasn’t a lot, but at the end of the day we were able to collect the data we wanted to get.”
“It’s certainly time for Ferrari to get this right.”
Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz spoke to Sky Sports News trackside at Fiorano.
“For Lewis Hamilton, it doesn’t really matter whether it’s now or not. He won the championship and came to Ferrari and is building a team that can win here. This is the second year of that project and it coincides with the biggest rule change in our memory.”
“It’s certainly time for Ferrari to get this right and have a car that can win. That’s our expectation for the SF-26.”
They won the Sprint last year but didn’t win the Grand Prix, so they’ll be hoping for some wins throughout 2026, and we’ll have to see beyond that. ”
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Ahead of Ferrari’s new car launch for the 2026 season, Ted Kravitz spoke about the team’s outlook for next year and whether Lewis Hamilton can return to his best form.
About Hamilton’s 2026 outlook:
“I think it was really that car last year, and when we had a car that could win in the sprint in China, he performed and won.”
“What Ross (Brown) was talking about is that the incentive is the possibility of winning. Lewis Hamilton is all about winning and we knew that. This year marks the start of his 20th year in F1.
“On his way into the garage (prior to the shakedown), he had the most upbeat attitude I’ve ever seen him work on.
“I think the incentive is to have a car that can win. He will quickly pick up on new rules and procedures, such as energy management and hybrid systems, and he will be as adaptable as anyone on the grid.”
“Then I think it will depend on the car whether he can win races consistently and what he can do with Charles Leclerc and where he can finish in both championships.”
When does F1 pre-season testing take place?
With the introduction of new regulations, a strong schedule of three separate test events is planned before the start of the 2026 season.
The first test will take place behind closed doors in Barcelona from January 26th to 30th, followed by two more tests in Bahrain from February 11th to 13th and 18th to 20th.
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Highlights from F1 testing at Barcelona Shakedown will be streamed live every night from Monday 26th January to Friday 30th January from 7pm on Sky Sports F1 YouTube and 9pm on Sky Sports F1 Channel.
When was your first F1 race?
The team will then have two weeks to prepare for the season-opening Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6th to 8th.
The first practice session of the season will take place on Friday, March 6th, followed by qualifying on Saturday, March 7th and the opening race on Sunday, March 8th.
Sky Sports F1 lets you watch all 24 race weekends of the 2026 F1 season live. Stream Sky Sports now – cancel anytime with no contract
