Lewis Hamilton made a strong impression during the first week of Formula 1 pre-season testing in Bahrain, with Ferrari posting competitive lap times and showing solid reliability ahead of the 2026 campaign.
While Ferrari were not widely viewed as the outright fastest team, analysts believe the Italian outfit may still have untapped performance, potentially positioning Hamilton as an early title contender. Technical experts suggest the team could even emerge as favourites when the season begins.
Elsewhere in the paddock, Mercedes sparked debate after George Russell warned the team may have taken a step backwards since earlier tests. However, rivals remain sceptical, with some suspecting the Silver Arrows are deliberately masking their true pace.
Ferrari driver Charles Leclerc and reigning champion Max Verstappen both suggested Mercedes could be hiding a performance advantage, adding intrigue ahead of the season opener in Melbourne.
Aston Martin, meanwhile, appeared to struggle during testing, with drivers hinting at a significant performance gap to leading teams, though the squad insists improvements are possible before the first race.
Off the track, attention also turned to a unique motorsport project in Japan, where a billionaire commissioned a private racing circuit designed by renowned F1 track architect Hermann Tilke for family use.
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