Hamilton satisfied with his alternative plan for Canada: 'That's the way forward'

The Ferrari driver was in fine form today at the Circuit Gilles Villeneuve. He was quick on the medium tyres in SQ1 and SQ2, and after the first runs in SQ3, Lewis Hamilton was in second place. In the end, he set the fifth-fastest time, finishing behind the two Mercedes and two McLarens, but ahead of his teammate Charles Leclerc.

Speaking to F1 TV after the final session on Friday, he said: "That’s probably the best qualifying session we’ve had for some time. Just really great work with the engineers, setup changes, the car felt really fantastic from P1, and we made just subtle changes going into qualifying.

"SQ1 and SQ2 were looking good, and then I don’t know why the others are able to like turn up a little bit more, I don’t know. But I’m just happy to be there in the fight. I was having so much fun out there," Hamilton continued with a smile.

At the Miami Grand Prix, Hamilton explained that he would skip preparing on the sim ahead of Montreal. Reflecting on that decision, he added: "Also, the fact that I didn’t do the sim, and it was the best I’ve felt all year, so I think that’s the way forward for me.