Lewis Hamilton is feeling “massively excited” for 2026 as Ferrari debuted its new Formula 1 car on Friday.
The seven-time world champion was first behind the wheel of the all-new SF-26 at the Scuderia’s Fiorano test track in Italy.
And though mileage restrictions limited Hamilton to just three laps, the Briton, preparing for his second year in red, admits the moment was truly special.
“Just waking up here at Ferrari, it’s very, very special,” he told Formula1.com.
“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.
“And you’re one of only two that gets to go out and drive it – it’s pretty remarkable, and I’m so grateful for all the hard work everyone’s put into it.
Our first look at the SF-26 in action! A result from all the hard work from everyone in the factory to Charles and Lewis on track. pic.twitter.com/oWdXwKzu3e
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 23, 2026
“It’s just so exciting when they fire the car up and you get the new vibration of the car through your body,” Hamilton added.
“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.”
Despite a winless 2025, expectations on Ferrari are as high as ever as F1 introduces new power unit and chassis regulations for 2026.
You made today special 🫶 pic.twitter.com/UxcvdHtDSm
— Scuderia Ferrari HP (@ScuderiaFerrari) January 23, 2026
And even Hamilton concedes he has a rare buzz going into the new season.
“If you look at my interviews from all the other years, I would never say that I get excited, but I’m massively excited, and I think that’s okay to say that,” the 41-year-old said.
“I’m excited for new beginnings. Obviously, today you don’t get to push it, but it feels cool at Ferrari.
“Next week, we’ll start to try and stretch the legs and see what this new generation of car is going to bring to all of this.
“And then it’s kind of knowing what other people have, what cars, what tricks that other people may or may not have, and what concepts and all those sort of things, and I think for us just keeping our heads down and focusing on our job.
“The team feels refreshed, and [there’s been] so much work from so many different departments here – it’s awesome to see, so we’re going to take this energy and just take it one day at a time.”
