F1, Sportrik Media - Lewis Hamilton confirmed that Ferrari was unable to complete its planned programme on the second day of the final F1 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain after a technical issue struck the SF-26. The seven-time world champion described the day as imperfect despite a strong recovery effort from the Maranello-based squad.
Hamilton had the full Thursday schedule behind the wheel of the SF-26, marking his final on-track preparation before the season opener. However, the morning session was severely compromised, with the Briton completing just five laps before the car was returned to the garage. Ferrari later clarified that the issue was not related to the power unit, but declined to provide further technical details.
The limited running in the opening hours disrupted key correlation work and programme sequencing, particularly under a regulatory framework that places increased emphasis on hybrid integration and active aerodynamic balance. Protecting sensitive development data remains a priority for teams at this stage, especially with the competitive order still evolving under the 2026 rules.
Notably, during his brief morning stint, Hamilton showcased a revised Ferrari rear wing concept. The upper flap appeared capable of rotating up to 180 degrees — an unprecedented configuration in Formula 1. The solution is understood to be linked to drag optimisation and airflow stabilisation under the new active aero regulations, potentially offering efficiency gains on high-speed straights.
The afternoon session proved considerably more productive. Hamilton added 73 laps at the Bahrain International Circuit and recorded the fourth-fastest time of the day. Ferrari’s focus shifted toward long-run simulations, tyre degradation mapping, and energy deployment modelling under higher fuel loads — critical data sets ahead of the first competitive weekend.
“It was not a perfect day for the team, as we weren’t able to complete everything we had planned,” Hamilton stated.
“That said, it was a great testament to everyone’s hard work, doing a fantastic job fixing the car and getting me back out on track. I’m really grateful for the laps we were able to complete, and the data we gathered will be important as we continue to prepare for the season.”
Operational resilience in response to technical setbacks is often decisive during condensed pre-season windows. For Ferrari, the ability to recover and resume meaningful mileage in the afternoon mitigated some of the lost track time, although the missed morning programme inevitably limited broader validation work.
With testing concluding in Bahrain, Ferrari now transitions into final simulation and factory-based analysis before the championship officially begins. Under the tightly balanced 2026 performance structure, even marginal data deficits can carry strategic consequences, placing added importance on extracting maximum insight from the available laps.
Day Two Programme – Ferrari SF-26 Bahrain
| Driver | Team | Session | Laps Completed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | Morning | 5 | Running limited due to technical issue (non power-unit) |
| Lewis Hamilton | Ferrari | Afternoon | 73 | Long-run focus, P4 overall |
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