30 Jan 2026

Hamilton praises Ferrari’s reliability: 'Solid base to learn and build upon'

On Tuesday, January 27, the team split duties: Charles Leclerc drove the morning, while Hamilton took the afternoon. Unfortunately, heavy rain soaked the track, preventing any dry running.

However, the scheduled programme ran smoothly, prioritizing systems checks and reliability over raw speed. Hamilton started just after 2:00 PM, switching between Full Wet and Intermediate tires to handle the variable conditions, covering nearly a full Grand Prix distance.

Reflecting on the day, the British champion said: “It was an intense but productive first day, especially given the variable weather. We managed to complete substantial mileage and gather useful data, which is crucial with such significant regulatory changes. There were no significant issues, giving us a solid base to continue learning and building upon in the coming days.”