Key Ferrari SF-26 characteristic in Bahrain could be a ‘significant limitation’ for Lewis Hamilton

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Ferrari have shown strong reliability over the first two days of 2026 pre-season testing in Bahrain, but the characteristics of their car have not suited Lewis Hamilton too well.

The Scuderia recorded one of the highest lap counts on day one on Wednesday, as Hamilton and Charles Leclerc enjoyed 52 and 80 tours of the Bahrain International Circuit. Leclerc also set the third-fastest lap time with a 1:35.190, although times are largely irrelevant in testing.

Hamilton took the wheel of the Ferrari SF-26 during the morning session on day one, before Leclerc took over in the afternoon. A few positive signs have developed in the Sakhir desert, as well, as Ferrari appear to have fixed Hamilton’s turn-in issues from the previous rules era.

Day 1 in Bahrain and it’s Lando Norris on top! ⏱️

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Ferrari’s rear-end instability could be a ‘significant limitation’ for Lewis Hamilton in 2026

The 2026 F1 regulations mark the biggest regulatory overhaul so far, with new engine, aero, chassis and tyre rules. Hamilton failed to adapt his driving style to thrive under the ground-effect era from 2022 to 2025, but Ferrari may not have fixed everything with their 2026 car.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about F1’s 2026 engine and aero regulations

According to Automoto.it, it was evident from trackside during the opening day of the first official 2026 pre-season test in Bahrain that Ferrari are struggling with rear-end instability. The Ferrari SF-26’s balance was often rather wild in the corners with Hamilton and Leclerc.

While Leclerc can often drive around any unstable behaviour from the rear-end of Ferrari’s car, the issue could prove to be a ‘more significant limitation’ for Hamilton if it persists into the 2026 F1 season. Hamilton historically favours a stable rear end so he can attack corners.

Ferrari failed to fix the instability concerns that emerged at the Barcelona shakedown

Hamilton is having to adapt to the inherent rear-end instability of Ferrari’s 2026 car during the Bahrain test, as he looks to bounce back from the worst season of his F1 career so far. The 41-year-old endured his worst year on the F1 grid to date after joining Ferrari in 2025.

Bahrain pre-season day 1 done 💪

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Seven-time F1 champion Hamilton failed to score a single Grand Prix podium in a season for the first time after he joined Ferrari last year. He also only scored 156 points to Leclerc’s 242, as the Scuderia racers ranked sixth and fifth in the 2025 F1 drivers’ championship standings.

Ferrari’s rivals could see their rear-end instability in Barcelona during the shakedown at the end of January, as well. A number of figures in the F1 paddock quickly sensed after watching Hamilton and Leclerc on track in Spain that the SF-26 appears to be quite a handful to drive.