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Lewis Hamilton’s aggressive driving style in Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car has left Anthony Davidson encouraged. Hamilton took over from Charles Leclerc for the evening session as the final pre-season test got underway on Wednesday.
In addition to setting the second-fastest time overall, Hamilton posted the quickest race simulation in the first Bahrain test, offering his fans some much-needed cause for optimism.
However, Hamilton didn’t sound as if he was particularly enjoying the driving experience. He even likened it to ‘rallying’ and suggested the cars were driving at ‘GP2’ pace.
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The seven-time world champion didn’t score a single podium in his first season but has suggested he should be more comfortable in the SF-26, having had an influence on car development.
Lewis Hamilton is finally ‘enjoying’ driving the Ferrari in F1 testing
Hamilton made several uncharacteristic mistakes in last year’s car, including a crash in the final practice session of the season in Abu Dhabi. That ‘strange’ incident summed up 2025.
But speaking during F1 testing coverage, Anthony Davidson said Hamilton finally looked ‘at home’ in the Ferrari, based on the car’s ‘body language’.
Hamilton was able to impose his aggressive driving style on the SF-26 and ‘get stuck in’. There are early signs that Ferrari have accounted for his preferences.
“He’s really pushing this lap. It looks like he’s enjoying it,” Davidson observed. “This is the most at home I’ve seen Lewis look in a Ferrari for quite some time, actually.
“It still hadn’t clicked last week and even towards the end of last year. In Abu Dhabi, that strange spin he had in free practice.
“It looks like he’s getting stuck in here. The body language of the car… it looks like he’s enjoying it a bit more. Right on the edge, moving around, it’s how Hamilton likes a car to behave.”
Lewis Hamilton feels ‘more connected’ to the new Ferrari
As he explained in a press conference before his day one stint, Hamilton started testing the 2026 car on the simulator in the spring of last year. He’s already feeling the benefits.
Prior to his arrival, Carlos Sainz had partnered Charles Leclerc for four seasons. Leclerc has been with the team since 2019, which may partly explain his huge advantage in the intra-team battle.
Will Lewis Hamilton’s contribution to Ferrari’s car development be a gamechanger?
Hamilton said: “This is a car that I’ve been able to be a part of developing on the simulator for the last ten months, eight months, and so a bit of my DNA is within it. So I’m more connected to this one for sure.”
Williams driver Alex Albon thinks Hamilton’s style could suit the new cars more than any other driver. The weight reduction should help him make the corners ‘really short’.
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