Lewis Hamilton surprised fans and pundits alike with his actions at the close of day two of Formula 1’s pre-season test in Bahrain. The seven-time world champion was the only Ferrari driver on track throughout the second day in Sakhir, giving him extended time to evaluate the team’s latest upgrades.
One of the key developments he tested was Ferrari’s innovative rear wing system, which allows the upper element to rotate up to 270 degrees when the new 2026 active aerodynamics mode is engaged. However, Hamilton’s running was disrupted in the morning by a chassis issue, limiting him to just 78 laps. Despite the setback, he still managed to set the fourth-fastest time of the day, finishing six tenths behind Mercedes driver Kimi Antonelli.
The most eye-catching moment came after a late red flag paused the session to allow teams to rehearse the revised race start procedure for 2026. With major regulation changes affecting power unit management, the FIA has been testing a longer starting sequence, including illuminated grid panels to give drivers more time to prepare their engines.
Hamilton lined up several rows behind rivals including Max Verstappen, Ollie Bearman and Liam Lawson. When the practice start began, Hamilton reacted sharply, launching cleanly and quickly moving past Lawson before sweeping ahead of multiple cars that had started further up the grid. By the exit of turn one, he had surged into the lead of the small group.
While it remains unclear whether each team was simulating full race conditions, Hamilton’s rapid getaway drew widespread attention. Speaking afterward, he dismissed concerns that the extended start process is unsafe, insisting it is simply different from previous years. His confident display not only highlighted Ferrari’s apparent strength off the line but also suggested he is quickly adapting to the sport’s new era.
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