Ferrari has slipped in a key area despite Lewis Hamilton’s extraordinary Madrid start

An analysis of 2026 Formula 1 race starts reveals that Williams has become the benchmark for grid launches, while Ferrari has slipped to fourth-fastest. Despite Ferrari's overall decline in start performance, Lewis Hamilton achieved an exceptional personal best launch at the Spanish Grand Prix in Madrid, accelerating from 0 to 200 km/h in 4.45 seconds.

Williams' strong performance was highlighted by Carlos Sainz, who reached 200 km/h in 4.8 seconds, and Alexander Albon at 5.0 seconds. McLaren's Oscar Piastri split the Williams duo at 4.9 seconds, while Audi and Aston Martin recorded the slowest starts in the analysis, with Gabriel Bortoleto registering 5.6 seconds.