Lewis Hamilton confirms Ferrari setback after confusing lengthy stoppage

Lewis Hamilton has confirmed that Ferrari failed to complete its programme on the second day of the final pre-season test in Bahrain, following an issue with the SF-26.

The seven-time world champion had the entirety of Thursday behind the wheel of the SF-26, marking his final running of pre-season testing.

Unfortunately, it was far from a smooth final day of testing for the Briton, who managed just five laps in the morning session and lost substantial running.

Bizarrely, Ferrari has simply stated that it was a technical issue and not a power unit-related problem, avoiding revealing exactly what disrupted its day.

However, in the five laps Hamilton completed in the morning, he showcased a new Ferrari rear wing. Incredibly, the rear wing flaps flipped 180 degrees — something never seen in Formula 1 before.

It was a smoother afternoon for the 41-year-old, who managed 73 laps of the Bahrain International Circuit and set the fourth-quickest time, with a heavy emphasis on long-run data.

All in all, it was a difficult day for the veteran, who is grateful for the immense effort made by the Maranello-based outfit to fix the morning issue.

"It was not a perfect day for the team, as we weren’t able to complete everything we had planned," said Hamilton. 

"That said, it was a great testament to everyone’s  hard work, doing a fantastic job fixing the car and getting me back out on track. 

"I’m really grateful for the laps we were able to complete, and the data we gathered will be important as we continue to prepare for the season."