Lewis Hamilton finishes initial laps of F1 2026 as Ferrari refutes claims of a malfunction.
Lewis Hamilton has undertaken the initial laps in Ferrari’s new 2026 Formula 1 vehicle at the team’s testing facility, Fiorano.
The SF-26 was unveiled on Friday morning prior to a shakedown at the track situated within Ferrari’s extensive Maranello complex.
The closeness of a public road adjacent to the Fiorano circuit resulted in videos from fans and broadcasters quickly surfacing online, featuring Hamilton’s recognizable yellow helmet during the first lap.
Footage indicated that the car halted on the main straight near the pits, sparking online conjecture that it might have experienced a breakdown.
However, a Ferrari representative confirmed to ESPN that the stop was “part of the plan” to optimize the mileage available for a demonstration event in accordance with F1 regulations.
Aside from official preseason testing, teams are permitted to conduct two 200km promotional events (commonly known as filming days) each season and two demonstration events limited to 15km.
To ensure no mileage was squandered at Fiorano, Hamilton was directed to stop on track, execute what appeared to be a practice start from certain video perspectives, and was subsequently returned to the garage by the mechanics.
Charles Leclerc was then scheduled to take over the car for his initial experience with the SF-26.
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New regulations this season have led to a revamp of both the power unit to generate increased electric power and new chassis regulations aimed at making the cars smaller and lighter.
Active aerodynamics on the front and rear wings have also been introduced to enhance efficiency, and Hamilton was observed activating the wings as he exited the garage.
Ferrari indicated at the conclusion of last year that its launch car would essentially be an A-spec to maximize mileage at the forthcoming test at Circuit de Barcelona-Catalunya next week, before the “real car” is revealed ahead of the first race.
The extent to which the car launched on Friday will change during the upcoming tests in Bahrain and prior to the season’s first race in Australia on March 8 remains uncertain.
Source: espn.com
