Lewis Hamilton has already told Ferrari his first impression of their 2026 F1 car after simulator test

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Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc have driven Ferrari’s 2026 Formula 1 car on the simulator. As it stands, they’re not expected to be out on track until the private Barcelona test in January.

F1 will go almost 50% electric next year and also transition to sustainable fuels. The sport will also introduce active aerodynamics as part of the biggest regulation changes in recent history.

Hamilton has signed a three-year contract at Ferrari, which theoretically secures his seat until the end of 2027. However, one can foresee the seven-time world champion leaving if he and the team continue to struggle.

Indeed, there are already whispers that Ferrari could pay Hamilton off if they feel the partnership becomes untenable. The pressure on his side of the garage feels higher than ever.

Lewis Hamilton pleased with early version of Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car

According to F1Actu, Ferrari are planning a ‘silent winter’ at Maranello. Having been heralded as the championship favourites in some quarters before their disappointing 2025 season, they want to do their talking on track.

However, it’s said that Leclerc and Hamilton have given ‘positive’ feedback after sampling the 2026 car virtually. The former has found it ‘more comfortable’ to drive than its ground-effect predecessors.

• READ MORE: Charles Leclerc delivers two-word verdict after driving Ferrari’s 2026 F1 car in the simulator

The consensus is that the 2026 F1 cars are very different to what has come before. This is encouraging for Hamilton, whose recent decline may have been tied to the characteristics of the post-2022 machinery.

Ferrari are expected to challenge Mercedes’ engine dominance, but it’s more difficult than ever to predict the pecking order. Audi and Red Bull are newcomers to the power unit scene, while Honda’s partnership with Aston Martin is still nascent.

The F1 team who may already be writing off 2026

The report adds that Audi have taken the ‘most surprising’ approach of all the engine manufacturers.

The German giants, who launched their F1 project at a recent event in Munich, have apparently ‘finalised’ their 2026 engine already. The ‘focus’ has already shifted to the ’27 and ’28 models.

This could indicate that Mattia Binotto’s squad have ‘accepted’ a year of suffering. Audi want to win the title by 2030, surpassing what 2005 entrants Red Bull managed in 2010.