FIORANO: Lewis Hamilton is preparing to take on the “enormous challenge” of adapting to the seismic shift in technical regulations facing the 2026 Formula 1 grid as Ferrari unveiled its new car on Friday.
The seven-time world champion and teammate Charles Leclerc put the SF-26 through its paces at the Scuderia’s private Fiorano test track, near their Maranello headquarters.
“I think this is the biggest regulatory change our sport has seen, at least in my time,” said the 41-year-old Briton.
“But every time it came to moving to a new regulation, it was a big challenge.
“Everyone’s starting from scratch, so it really levels the playing field. Then it’s really all about development, who can grow faster, who comes up with the best ideas, and then a unified team that grows at the same rate.”
Ferrari team principal Fred Vasseur spoke of “an emotional day” seeing their new creation come out of the garage and onto the track.
“It went pretty well, a lot of work but we are all more than happy, it’s not the end of the story but the start of the season,” he said.
“Let’s be positive and appreciate the history.” The Frenchman added: “It was good to see the car leave the garage but it’s the start of a new journey.”
Given that all 11 teams are in the same boat and starting from scratch, Vasseur was keen to downplay expectations for the season opener in Australia in early March.
“We will see the situation in Melbourne, today was a first step,” Vasseur said.
“The pace of development will be much higher than in previous years. We will see the performance in Melbourne, it is too early to meet expectations.”
For the first time in his illustrious career, Hamilton failed to even make the podium last season as Ferrari fell to fourth place in the constructors’ standings.
They were last crowned constructors’ champions in 2008, with Kimi Raikkonen winning the last of their 15 drivers’ titles the year before.
Hamilton admitted that the last time the cars were radically changed in 2022, they did not suit his driving style.
He desperately hopes the 2026 reiteration will be more to his liking in the twilight of his decorated career.
He moved from Mercedes to Ferrari in the hope of securing a record eighth world title – but given his dismal start he will now be relieved to win another race.
There was also a significant change to the car, with Hamilton’s race engineer Riccardo Adami leaving to take up another role within the team.
Hamilton, who had formed a very close relationship with his engineer at Mercedes, Pete “Bobo” Bonnington, and Adami sometimes appeared to have a strained relationship during races on team radio.
The Tifosi watching haven’t had much to shout about recently, and Leclerc paid tribute to their courage and faith.
“I can only thank them for the enormous support we give them every year,” said the Monegasque.
“It definitely pushes us, it motivates us, and that’s what makes Ferrari so special. It’s thanks to the Tifosi and the support we have all over the world.”
Next week is the Barcelona shakedown, where the new cars will be tested away from the media, followed by back-to-back tests in Bahrain in February.
The 24-race season begins in Australia on March 8.
Published in Dawn, January 24, 2026
