Lewis Hamilton: Ferrari driver ‘massively excited’ for ‘new beginnings’ in F1 2026 after driving new SF-26 automobile

Lewis Hamilton says he’s “massively excited” for “new beginnings” heading into System 1’s newest guidelines period after he drove Ferrari’s 2026 automobile for the primary time.

Hamilton was again on monitor simply 47 days after ending his tough maiden season on the Scuderia in December as he and team-mate Charles Leclerc shook down the brand new SF-26 at Fiorano, Ferrari’s take a look at monitor, throughout a handful of laps on the day it was launched.

And regardless of the expanded pre-season testing programme required for the game’s all-new challengers having lowered the same old size of a driver’s winter break, Hamilton mentioned he was feeling refreshed and was eager to get entering into earnest.

“If you probably look at all my other interviews all the other years, I would never say that I get excited [for testing]. But I’m massively excited and I think that’s ok to say that,” he advised F1.

“I am excited for brand spanking new beginnings.

“It has been such a deal with resetting, having a very good break. The break, although it was the shortest one we have ever had, I might say, it was simply what was wanted.

“Learning new patterns and undoing patterns and removing things that don’t serve me or bring the right energy and making sure you’re just showing up in the right way.”

Hamilton and Leclerc will now head to Spain for F1 2026’s shakedown week, throughout which groups can run their automobile on three of the 5 days. It will likely be the primary time groups could have seen what their rivals have developed for the beginning of the brand new ruleset – which options main modifications to chassis, aerodynamics, energy models and gas – up shut.

“I’m excited about the first test,” added Hamilton.

“Obviously today you don’t get to push it but it feels cool at Fiorano. But obviously next week we will start to try and stretch the legs and see what this new generation of car is going to bring to all of us.

“Then it is sort of like unknown in what different folks have, what tips that different folks might or might not have and what ideas, all these kinds of issues.

“I think for us, just keeping our heads down and focusing on our job. But the team feels refreshed and so much work from so many different departments here, it’s awesome to see.

“So we have got to take this power and simply take it at some point at a time.”

As Ferrari published the first images of the SF-26 to the world on Friday morning, the team were simultaneously putting it on track as fans watched on from outside the circuit permitter.

“It is so thrilling once they hearth the automobile up and also you get the vibration of the brand new automobile by means of your physique,” mentioned Hamilton.

“Literally when they open the [garage] door you can see the tifosi and that’s something I will never get used to and something that I’ll never be able to forget.

“However right now is basically about reconnecting, reconnecting with the staff, reconnecting with that keenness of all of the individuals who observe this staff. It actually additionally reminds you, jogs my memory of why I really like doing what I do and love this sport.”

Leclerc: New cars a big challenge for drivers

Leclerc, who was the better performing Ferrari driver in 2025 as he claimed seven grand prix podiums, says he is excited by the challenge the new cars will provide.

“I believe it is one of many greatest modifications that has occurred in F1 historical past, so it has been significantly thrilling for that,” he said.

“Since I arrived in F1, I’ve had one huge technical change from 2021 to 2022, however this has nothing to do with that.

“We kind of have to relearn most of the programs, we’ve got to understand the system a lot better in order to make the most out of it. So, there are many, many implications also on the driver’s side, the way we drive, the way we’ll manage the racing, and this makes it a big challenge, but that’s something that excites me.

“And with all the work that has been behind the scenes, I was just really keen to finally try it in reality and see how it felt. So, it was very exciting.”

Ferrari staff principal Frederic Vasseur confirmed that Friday’s operating had gone to plan, however admitted his squad had solely fundamental targets for the event.

“It went overall all pretty well,” Vasseur advised Sky Sports activities. “We had no major issue and that’s only what you can get on the launch.

“The goal of that is to gather knowledge. We did 5 laps. It is not that a lot however on the finish of the day, it went properly that we collected the info that we needed to get.”

‘The time is certainly now for Ferrari to get this right’

Sky Sports F1’s Ted Kravitz trackside at Fiorano speaking to Sky Sports News:

“Whether or not it is now or by no means for Lewis Hamilton is basically not the purpose, he is gained his championships, he is come to Ferrari, he is constructing a profitable staff right here. It is the second yr of that mission and it coincides with the largest rule change that we have had in residing reminiscence.

“The time is certainly now for Ferrari to get this right and to have a winning car. That’s the expectation here of the SF-26.

They won a Sprint last year but they didn’t manage to win a grand prix, so they’ll be hoping for some wins throughout 2026, and more than that, we’ll have to see.”

On Hamilton’s 2026 prospects:

“I believe final yr actually was the automobile. And when he had the automobile out there to win within the Dash in China, he delivered and he did win.

“What I believe Ross [Brawn] was speaking about is that the incentivisation is the chance to win. Lewis Hamilton is all about profitable, we have identified that. That is the start of his twentieth yr in System 1.

“He looked as up for it as I’ve ever seen him on his way into the garage [ahead of the shakedown].

“I believe the inducement is having a automobile that is in a position to win. He’ll get his head across the new guidelines and procedures – with power administration and the hybrid system – in a short time, he is as adaptable as anyone on the grid.

“And then the rest I think is down to the car as to whether he can win races consistently, and what he can do with Charles Leclerc, and where they can end up in both championships.”

When is F1 pre-season testing?

The introduction of recent rules means there’s a strong schedule of three separate testing occasions earlier than the beginning of the 2026 season.

The primary is a behind-closed-doors occasion in Barcelona from January 26-30, earlier than two exams observe in Bahrain from February 11-13 and 18-20.

When is the primary F1 race?

The groups then have two weeks to arrange for the opening spherical of the season, which is the Australian Grand Prix in Melbourne from March 6-8.

The primary observe periods of the season will happen on Friday 6 March, with Qualifying on Saturday 7 March and the opening race on Sunday 8 March.

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