Lewis Hamilton has urged caution following Ferrari’s impressive pace-setting performance at Barcelona’s pre-season testing.
The seven-time world champion topped the timesheets during Friday’s running but remains measured about what the results truly indicate.
Despite the positive atmosphere surrounding the Italian squad, Hamilton stressed that significant effort lies ahead.
“Everyone’s positive and incredibly enthusiastic. I mean, we’re under no illusions we know we’ve got work to do,” the 41-year-old told F1.com.
The British driver’s comments reflect a pragmatic approach as Ferrari looks to build momentum heading into the new campaign.
Hamilton highlighted the difficulty in gauging where Ferrari genuinely stands against their rivals after the opening week of running.
The Briton pointed to the considerable mileage accumulated by competing teams as a factor clouding any definitive assessment.
Lewis Hamilton has urged caution following Ferrari’s impressive pace-setting performance at Barcelona’s pre-season testing
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“Mercedes have done great running as well. I think Red Bull and Haas did some great running, too. So, we don’t really know exactly where we are,” he explained.
The acknowledgement that multiple outfits showed strong form during testing underscores the competitive uncertainty heading into the 2026 season, with the true pecking order unlikely to become clear until racing begins.
Nevertheless, Hamilton expressed confidence that the Maranello-based team can progress from this foundation.
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He described the initial testing period as solid groundwork upon which Ferrari can construct their challenge.
“But I think it’s a solid first week, and we can really build from here. There may be some big leaps we need to take; development’s going to be key,” Hamilton stated.
The veteran racer emphasised the importance of thorough preparation and clear decision-making processes within the team.
“It’s really about making sure we leave no stone unturned and being clear and concise with our communication and the decisions we make,” he added, noting fresh energy throughout the squad this year.
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Hamilton offered an encouraging verdict on Ferrari’s new SF-26 challenger, describing it as more pleasurable to pilot than last year’s machinery.
The British driver noted the car exhibits slight oversteer tendencies but found this characteristic relatively straightforward to manage.
This controllability represents a notable improvement in Hamilton’s view, as he suggested previous ground-effect era machines lacked such predictable handling traits.
The positive feedback on the car’s behaviour provides encouragement for Ferrari as they continue development work ahead of the season opener, though Hamilton’s earlier caution about reading too much into testing results remains pertinent.
