Happy Hamilton enjoys 'amazing' Canadian GP with Ferrari
Photo: Race Pictures
Updated: 09:02, 25 May
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Ben Hunt is an award-winning motorsport journalist with over two decades of experience in Formula 1 and international media. As a former editor-in-chief and bestselling author, he delivers in-depth analysis and strategic insight from the highest level of the sport.
Lewis Hamilton described his Canadian Grand Prix weekend as “amazing” after securing a P2 finish for Ferrari as the seven-time world champion finally looks at ease inside the Scuderia setup.
Hamilton has endured a difficult start to life at Ferrari, with questions repeatedly being asked about his adaptation to the car and whether the team could consistently fight near the front. But in Montreal, something appeared to click.
From the opening laps of practice, Hamilton looked comfortable and aggressive, eventually finishing second behind Kimi Antonelli after a thrilling late-race battle with Max Verstappen.
“It’s been pretty tough over the past year and a bit,” Hamilton admitted after the race. “So to finally find our sweet spot and have a good weekend has really been an amazing feeling.”
The Briton repeatedly praised Ferrari’s efforts behind the scenes, revealing the amount of work that had gone into helping him feel more comfortable with the SF-26.
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“It’s something I’ve been working so hard, I can’t even begin to explain how deep I’ve had to dig to be able to get to this point, and the work and moving mountains in the background to enable this sort of performance,” he said.
Hamilton ignites memories of Verstappen battles
Hamilton also revealed he chose a different setup direction heading into the weekend after extensive work with his engineer.
Hamilton explained: “I chose a different set-up this weekend through just ciphering through the data. And I was able to attack all the corners finally."
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One of the biggest talking points from the race was Hamilton’s fight with Verstappen, with both drivers enjoying a wheel-to-wheel battle that reminded many fans of previous title fights between the pair, most notably in 2021
“I love that hunt,” Hamilton said. “That’s my whole life has been about that since a kid.”
Away from the track, Hamilton also opened up about spending the weekend with his mother in Montreal, revealing the pair had spent evenings together watching movies and talking after sessions.
“Every night we’d have dinner together and we’d watch a movie or just sit up talking,” Hamilton said.
After months of frustration, Hamilton sounded relaxed, energised and fully connected to Ferrari for the first time since joining the team. And if Ferrari’s progress continues, the rest of the field may finally have another genuine contender to worry about.
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Read also
McLaren rue tyre gamble
McLaren’s call contrasted with most of the field, who braved slicks on a lightly damp track as forecasts hinted the shower would pass rather than intensify.
The early stop dropped Lando Norris into traffic and erased the advantage from his lightning launch, compounding the damage before a mechanical issue ended his race on lap 40.
Teammate Oscar Piastri was also on intermediates, underscoring the team’s all-in strategy that ultimately failed to match the evolving conditions.
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Monaco Grand Prix
Overview
Friday 05.06.26
Practice 1
11:30 AM
Practice 2
03:00 PM
Saturday 06.06.26
Practice 3
10:30 AM
Qualification
02:00 PM
Sunday 07.06.26
Race
01:00 PM
Friday 05.06.26
Practice 1
Fri 11:30 AM
Practice 2
Fri 03:00 PM
Saturday 06.06.26
Practice 3
Sat 10:30 AM
Qualification
Sat 02:00 PM
Sunday 07.06.26
Race
Sun 01:00 PM
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