Hamilton praises Ferrari's SF-26 launch as they rebuild from tough 2025
Lewis Hamilton has praised the work done by everyone at Ferrari after the "very special" launch of the SF-26.
"It is the most exciting part of the year when you see all these pieces come out of different departments."- Lewis Hamilton
The Scuderia unveiled its 2026 challenger to the world, including a shakedown run for both Hamilton and Charles Leclerc around the Fiorano circuit.
There will be plenty of pressure on them after a dismal 2025 season saw them miss out on a Grand Prix win all year, doing so for the first time since 2021.
Huge praise came from Hamilton after the event, making sure everyone behind the scenes at the Italian team was applauded for their efforts.
“Just waking up here at Ferrari, it’s very, very special,” the seven-time World Champion said while speaking to F1.
“Obviously, I’ve been here the past week or so, and seeing the car coming together, also just knowing how hard everyone works, and you get to see everyone at their desks every week that I’m here.
“[Seeing] all the work we’ve been doing on the simulator and just the building blocks that you put in place, to then see a car come together, it is the most exciting part of the year when you see all these pieces come out of different departments, and eventually it all fits together.
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Exhilaration after SF-26 launch
There was plenty of elation conveyed throughout Ferrari after their 2026 unveiling, with Charles Leclerc branding the shakedown as a "very special feeling".
Hamilton also had similar feelings after his first few laps behind the wheel of the SF-26 at Fiorano, saying he was "massively excited" for the upcoming campaign.
“It’s just so exciting when they fire the car up," the 41-year-old explained.
"You get the new vibration of the car through your body, and then they open up the door, and you end up going down to Turn 1, where you can see the Tifosi.
“That’s something that I will never get used to, and something that I’ll never be able to forget. But today’s really about reconnecting with the team, reconnecting with that passion of all the people that follow this team.
"It’s just a day that reignites you. It really also reminds me of why I love doing what I do and why I love this sport.”
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