Lewis Hamilton’s Scuderia Ferrari team has been ranked fourth best by F1 pundit and reporter Craig Slater after the first showdown of the 2026 season at the Barcelona Pre-Season Test. Slater explained that Mercedes is widely being considered as the top team ahead of the start of the new regulations era.
Lewis Hamilton left Mercedes to join Ferrari in 2025 in a move that shocked the F1 world at the time it was announced at the beginning of the 2024 season. This came after the 7x world champion spent over a decade at the German team and looked to join the Scarlet Red outfit to fulfill his childhood dream.
But the first year with Ferrari was anything but smooth sailing for Hamilton, who finished sixth in the drivers’ standings in 2025. Ferrari slipped to fourth in the constructors’ standings as well, after being one race away from winning it the year prior.
Much better things have been demanded of the Maranello-based outfit amid the new regulations era in 2026, internally and externally. But early reports seem to suggest that Ferrari could well struggle to get to the front of the field this year, with Mercedes being touted as having the best package.
Sky Sports F1 reporter Craig Slater has explained that, based on paddock rumors, the traditional top four teams in F1 over the last few years are expected to remain the top four in 2026. This includes Mercedes, McLaren, Red Bull and Lewis Hamilton’s Ferrari.
“Multiple people from those four teams do think that those top four teams are the top four,” said Slater.
But Slater then admitted that, as things stand, Mercedes looks to be the top team after the test in Barcelona, followed closely by McLaren and Red Bull, who are difficult to differentiate. He then explained that this would put Ferrari fourth in the pecking order.
“A lot of people are saying that the Ferrari looks quite a handful (to drive), actually. Several individuals from different teams have said that to me. Maybe that’s the downside to that car right now.”
If this does turn out to be the case, it would sting a lot more than normal for Lewis Hamilton, who left Mercedes to come to Ferrari. The Briton is also entering the final year of his contract at the Italian team, and his future in F1 could well be determined by how he and his team perform in 2026.
F1 fans will have a better idea of this pecking order during and following the next two pre-season tests at Bahrain, which are scheduled from February 11 to 13 and February 18 to 20, respectively. But the ultimate judgement could only be made at the season-opening Australian Grand Prix on March 8.
Lewis Hamilton Reflects on Mood Within The Ferrari Camp Following Barcelona Pre-Season Test
Lewis Hamilton explained that the mood within the Ferrari camp is positive following the Barcelona Pre-Season Test that lasted the whole week from January 26 to 30 at the Barcelona-Catalunya Circuit. The veteran added that the team enjoyed a “solid” three days of testing without actually understanding where they lie in the pecking order at the moment.
Speaking during the test in Spain, Hamilton said that Ferrari was under no illusions and had a lot of work to do before the start of the season. The 41-year-old also reflected on the performances of some of the other teams that could be their competition in 2026.
“Everyone is positive, you’ve got to be enthusiastic. I mean, we’re under no illusions; we know we’ve got work to do. Mercedes have done a great running as well. I think Red Bull and Haas did some great running as well,” said Hamilton [via Formula1].
“So we don’t really know where we are, but I think it’s a solid first week and we can really build from here,” he added.
Lewis Hamilton also added that he was happy to have gained some experience of driving the Ferrari SF-26 in the rain during Day 2 of the test. He explained that the 2025 season-opening Australian GP was the first time he had ever driven the Ferrari in wet conditions and, hence, it was good to have this opportunity already this time around. Ferrari and Red Bull were the only teams to run during Day 2 when it rained.
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