The opening phase of the 2026 Formula 1 season delivered exactly what Ferrari fans hoped for: competitive pace, podium finishes and genuine signs of progress from the SF-26. With Lewis Hamilton joining Charles Leclerc in one of the strongest driver line ups on the grid, expectations were high heading into the new championship.
The 2026 Formula 1 season introduced major new regulations, including a 50 50 power split between the combustion engine and electric systems, active aerodynamics and a new overtaking boost mode. The cars are also lighter and more agile than previous generations. The arrival of Cadillac increased the grid to 11 teams and 22 cars for the first time since 2016, marking the beginning of a new era for Formula 1.
Photo credits: Scuderia Ferrari
Race 1: Australian Grand Prix at Albert Park, Melbourne
March 6-8. The 2026 Formula 1 season began in Australia with a strong opening weekend for Scuderia Ferrari HP. In qualifying, both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton used Soft tyres in Q3, with Leclerc securing fourth on the grid, just 24 thousandths away from third place. Hamilton qualified seventh.
Before the race even began, Oscar Piastri crashed on the lap to the grid, leaving Hamilton with clear track ahead. Both Ferraris started on Medium tyres and launched brilliantly when the lights went out. Leclerc surged into the lead at Turn 1, while Hamilton climbed to third by the end of the opening sector.
Leclerc then became involved in an intense battle with George Russell, with the two repeatedly exchanging positions during the opening laps. A Virtual Safety Car on lap 12, caused by Isack Hadjar stopping on track, allowed the Mercedes drivers to pit early, while Ferrari stayed committed to its original strategy.
Leclerc eventually pitted for Hard tyres on lap 25, with Hamilton following three laps later. From that point onwards, Ferrari secured third and fourth positions to the chequered flag, giving the team a solid start to the 2026 season with Leclerc on the podium and Hamilton just behind in fourth.
Race 2: Chinese Grand Prix at Shanghai International Circuit
March 13-15. The second round of the 2026 Formula 1 season in China featured the first Sprint weekend of the year and another competitive showing from Scuderia Ferrari.
Both Lewis Hamilton and Charles Leclerc reached SQ3 for the Sprint Shootout. Hamilton qualified fourth, while Leclerc improved on his final run to secure sixth place.
The Sprint Race delivered intense action from the opening lap. Hamilton immediately moved into second and battled George Russell for the lead during the early stages. However, front left tyre graining began to affect the SF-26, allowing Russell to regain control. Leclerc then passed Hamilton for second before a late Safety Car, triggered by Nico Hulkenberg stopping at Turn 1, reset the field.
After the restart, Leclerc held onto second while Hamilton overtook Lando Norris to finish third, giving Ferrari the biggest points haul of any team from the Sprint with 13 points.
Ferrari remained competitive in Grand Prix qualifying, with Hamilton and Leclerc securing third and fourth on the grid to lock out the second row.
At the race start, Hamilton took the lead ahead of Kimi Antonelli and Leclerc. A Safety Car on lap 10 reshuffled strategies, but Ferrari stayed firmly in contention throughout the race. Hamilton and Leclerc spent much of the Grand Prix battling each other as well as the Mercedes drivers, repeatedly exchanging positions in one of the standout fights of the season so far.
In the closing stages, the order stabilised with Antonelli taking victory ahead of Russell, while Hamilton secured his first podium for Ferrari in third place. Leclerc finished fourth, allowing Ferrari to leave Shanghai second in the Constructors’ Championship after two strong opening weekends.
Race 3: Japanese Grand Prix at Suzuka Circuit
March 27-29. Scuderia Ferrari HP continued its strong start to the 2026 season at Suzuka, with Charles Leclerc qualifying fourth and Lewis Hamilton sixth after both drivers struggled to improve on their final Q3 laps.
At the start of the Japanese Grand Prix, Leclerc made an excellent launch from fourth to move into second behind Oscar Piastri, while Hamilton climbed from sixth to fourth before losing a position to Kimi Antonelli on the straight.
The race quickly developed into a strategic battle. George Russell passed Leclerc on lap 4, while Ferrari remained competitive through the pit stop phase. A Safety Car triggered by Oliver Bearman’s heavy crash at Spoon reshuffled the order and brought both Ferraris back into contention.
After the restart, Hamilton overtook Russell for third, while Leclerc fought his way back through the field. In the closing stages, the Ferrari drivers battled both each other and Russell, with Leclerc eventually passing Hamilton at Turn 1 to move into third place.
The Monegasque then defended brilliantly against repeated attacks from Russell during the final laps to secure Ferrari’s second podium in three races. Antonelli won the race ahead of Piastri, with Leclerc finishing third and Hamilton sixth. Ferrari left Suzuka still second in the Constructors’ Championship, while Leclerc remained third in the Drivers’ standings.
Race cancellations
The Bahrain Grand Prix and Saudi Arabian Grand Prix were both cancelled due to continuing tensions in the Middle East. Although several replacement events were discussed, Formula 1 and the FIA ultimately decided not to add substitute races to the calendar, leaving a longer break between Japan and Miami.
Race 4: Miami Grand Prix at Miami International Autodrome
May 1-3. The Miami Grand Prix became the fourth race of the 2026 Formula 1 season following the cancellations of the Bahrain and Saudi Arabian Grands Prix. Ferrari introduced the first aerodynamic update package for the SF-26 and showed promising pace throughout the weekend.
Both Charles Leclerc and Lewis Hamilton reached SQ3 in Sprint Qualifying, with Leclerc taking fourth and Hamilton seventh. In the Sprint Race, Leclerc overtook Kimi Antonelli at the start and finished third after pressuring Oscar Piastri in the closing laps. Hamilton stayed at seventh after an early battle with Max Verstappen, giving Ferrari eight Sprint points.
Ferrari remained competitive in Grand Prix qualifying, with Leclerc securing third on the grid and Hamilton sixth.
At the start of the race, Leclerc briefly took the lead by capitalising on a fight ahead between Verstappen and Antonelli. However, time lost battling Verstappen allowed Piastri to close in and pass the Ferrari. While trying to respond, Leclerc spun into the barrier and damaged his front suspension, though he still finished sixth on the road.
Hamilton’s race was compromised by early contact with Franco Colapinto, which damaged the floor and sidepod of his SF-26. Despite the loss of downforce, he remained in the points fight throughout the race.
Ferrari initially finished sixth and seventh with Leclerc ahead of Hamilton, but a post race 20 second penalty for Leclerc dropped him to eighth, promoting Hamilton to sixth.
Current standings
Kimi Antonelli leads the Drivers’ Championship with 100 points after a remarkable start to his rookie Formula 1 season. The 19 year old has already made history by becoming the first driver ever to convert his first three pole positions into victories. Charles Leclerc sits third in the standings with 59 points, while Lewis Hamilton is fifth on 51 points, level with Lando Norris.
In the Constructors’ Championship, Scuderia Ferrari HP holds second place with 110 points, trailing championship leaders Mercedes by 70.
The next round of the 2026 Formula 1 season takes place at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve in Canada from May 22 to 24, with another Sprint weekend set to add extra points and action to the schedule.
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