Social media buzzed when Lewis Hamilton stopped Ferrari's new SF-26 during its shakedown.
Ferrari’s initial shakedown of its 2026 challenger, the SF-26, was hit by social media speculation Friday after seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was seen stopping the car on track, though broadcasters quickly moved to downplay fears of a mechanical failure.
Footage from the Fiorano test circuit showed the SF-26 stationary on the asphalt with team personnel rushing to guide the car back to the garage. The sight briefly triggered concerns among the Tifosi that the Scuderia's first car for the new regulations era had suffered an early reliability setback following a winless 2025.
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However, Sky Italia and other technical observers reported that the stop was a deliberate, planned move by the team to maximise the limited mileage available for the session.
Strategic Mileage Management
Under strict FIA rules for "demonstration events," teams are limited to just 15 kilometres (approximately five laps of Fiorano) to validate systems before major testing begins.
According to reports, Hamilton was instructed to halt the car at a specific point on the circuit to avoid crossing the timing line, which would have officially recorded another lap and burned through the team's narrow allocation.
“There was no issue with the car,” reported Sky Italia during the live coverage. “Hamilton stopped just before the pit entry precisely because the team wanted to preserve every meter of their allowed distance for both him and teammate Charles Leclerc.”
Successful Validation
Despite the brief confusion, the shakedown was characterised as a success by team sources. The session provided the first real-world validation of the SF-26’s radical new features:
- Power Unit Split: The car successfully ran its first cycles with the new 50/50 power split between the internal combustion engine and the 350kW electrical recovery system.
- Manual Override Mode: Engineers reportedly tested the new "Overtake Mode," which replaces the traditional DRS (Drag Reduction System) for the 2026 season.
- Active Aero: Observers noted the movable front and rear wing elements functioning during low-speed passes.
The Ferrari team is now preparing to transport the SF-26 to Barcelona for an intensive five-day private test session beginning Monday, January 26.
Published: 23 Jan 2026, 05:45 pm IST
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