Lewis Hamilton demonstrated Ferrari’s doubtlessly important benefit over its F1 rivals on the penultimate day of pre-season testing in Bahrain.
F1 is trialling a brand new tweaked begin process on the finish of pre-season take a look at periods to alleviate security considerations associated to the 2026 laws.
The race begin was an enormous speaking level at each checks in Bahrain, with groups requesting modifications after a number of drivers raised considerations about potential risks related to the beginning sequence.
With the MGU-H system faraway from F1’s new technology of vehicles, drivers should rev the V6 inner combustion engine for round 10 seconds to spin the turbocharger in the beginning of a race.
All through pre-season testing, groups and drivers have been seen attempting totally different procedures, with combined outcomes.
F1’s governing physique, the FIA, is taking time to implement a mock standing begin process to assist groups overcome turbo lag points forward of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8.
Why are Ferraris so quick off the road?
Hamilton takes the lead from Antonelli
Ferrari is understood to have blocked the primary transfer to vary the principles as a result of it developed an answer to take care of the turbo lag downside.
Because of Ferrari’s small turbo, Hamilton and teammate Charles Leclerc do not must rev it up so long as their opponents. This additionally advantages Ferrari’s buyer groups Haas and Cadillac.
This benefit was evident on Thursday when Hamilton aced the beginning of follow each earlier than lunch and on the finish of the day.
Seven-time world champion Hamilton rocketed previous former Mercedes teammate George Russell off the road on the finish of the morning session.
“Take a look at that Ferrari off the road!” Anthony Davidson mentioned throughout a stay broadcast on Sky Sports activities F1. “He did not simply method it, he wiped it out.”
Then, on the finish of the penultimate day, Hamilton made an much more spectacular escape to take the lead once more.
Hamilton, who lined up from the third row of the grid, raced forward of his rivals from fifth, diving into the within of Kimi Antonelli’s Mercedes at flip one.
Sky Sports activities F1 commentator David Croft was impressed by Ferrari’s sturdy begin to the race, saying: “Take a look at the primary nook in Melbourne there is a Ferrari or two.
“Individuals will surprise, ‘What are you doing?'”
Ferrari appears again on a chaotic day
Ferrari turned heads in various methods on Thursday, however first within the morning it debuted a shocking “the other way up” rear wing design.
Nonetheless, it wasn’t all clean crusing for Hamilton as he was hit with working restrictions for the second day in a row.
Hamilton misplaced three hours of the morning session as a consequence of what Ferrari described as a “minor challenge” together with his SF-26.
The 41-year-old Briton completed the primary day in fourth place on the timesheets, finishing 78 laps in his remaining pre-season take a look at look.
Hamilton additionally needed to reduce quick his afternoon future and deal with his efficiency run.
Leclerc is predicted to return on Friday, finishing Ferrari’s 2026 take a look at program.
