Lewis Hamilton drops major first hint over 2026 Ferrari F1 car

Lewis Hamilton has delivered his verdict on the new generation of F1 cars after topping the Barcelona pre-season shakedown, hinting it could be a return to some of his strengths.

Late on the final day of running, Hamilton posted a 1:16.348 to set the quickest time of the week as he looks to bounce back from the horror 2025 season with Ferrari.

Hamilton suffered the nadir of his career in his first year at Ferrari, going without a podium all season as he struggled to get to grips with the final ground effect era car, a generation of machine he never clicked with. 

Hamilton's preferred driving style of braking hard and early and sharply turning into a corner - 'V-ing' - was at odds with the more 'roll the car into the corner' approach required 'U-ing' by the 2022-2025 cars.

Reflecting on the first week in the new designs, Hamilton indicated that some traits he previously enjoyed are back with the 2026-spec machines.

"Of course, there were small things, but we didn't really have any downtime moments, where I am sure they could potentially come in the next weeks, but otherwise, it's been a really, really solid couple of days," Hamilton explained.

"In terms of understanding the car and the balance, we have a lot less downforce than in previous years.

"The car generation is actually a little bit more fun to drive, it is oversteery, snappy and sliding, but it is easier to catch, and I would definitely say more enjoyable.

"But we definitely have to improve, as everybody does, but we've had great debriefs, everyone is really on it, and I feel like there is a winning mentality in every single person in the team, more than ever.

"It's been a really enjoyable week, and a huge amount of work was done over the winter on my personal side, and then what the team have done to make changes going into the test.

"It was an unusual start to the week with a completely wet day, which is something you would normally not opt for, but last year, the first race was the first time I drove the Ferrari in the wet, and that was very hard, so it was good to have that experience and get that knowledge."