Lewis Hamilton: ‘Victorious mindset’ observed in Ferrari following initial week of preseason
Lewis Hamilton expressed that he perceives a “winning mentality” within Ferrari this season after the team concluded its initial week of preseason testing in preparation for the 2026 Formula 1 campaign.
The seven-time world champion wrapped up the week-long test in Barcelona with the quickest lap time, recording a 1:16.348 in the final hour, which was 0.097 seconds faster than the best time achieved by his former Mercedes teammate George Russell the previous day.
While lap times hold little significance at this phase of testing, Ferrari also had three fruitful days on the track, accumulating a total of 440 laps between Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc.
With two additional tests in Bahrain remaining before the season opener, the 41-year-old seemed encouraged by his team’s strong start to 2026.
“We certainly have improvements to make, as everyone does, but I believe we’ve had excellent debriefs,” Hamilton stated.
“Everyone is really focused. I genuinely feel that there’s a … I truly sense the winning mentality in every individual on the team more than ever. So it’s a positive.”
The new regulations for 2026 have led to a three-fold increase in the electric output from the power unit, along with smaller, lighter cars this year.
Hamilton emphasized that Ferrari still needs to fully comprehend its entirely new car, and that significant performance advancements will likely be necessary to achieve top results.
“I mean, we’re under no misconceptions that we have work ahead,” he remarked. “Mercedes has performed well, and I think Red Bull and Haas have also had strong runs.”
“So we don’t truly know our standing, but I believe it’s a solid first week, and we can build from this point. However, there may be substantial leaps we need to make.”
“Development will be crucial. It’s essential to ensure we leave no stone unturned and maintain clear and concise communication in our decision-making. It will require all of us to perform at our best.”
“And I’m noticing that everyone is bringing new energy this year, which is fantastic.”
The increase in electric power is anticipated to place greater responsibility on drivers during races this season as they determine the optimal use of available energy from the cockpit.
Active aerodynamics on both the front and rear wings have been implemented to minimize energy-draining drag on the straights, while overall downforce levels have also decreased due to stricter regulations concerning the car’s floor.
“In terms of understanding the car and its balance, we have significantly less downforce than in previous years,” Hamilton added.
“The new generation of cars is actually a bit more enjoyable to drive. It’s oversteery, snappy, and slides, but it’s somewhat easier to manage.”
“I would definitely say it’s more enjoyable.”
Source: espn.com
